VECCHIO,VANESSA LIA
We are absolutely devastated to announce that our beautiful, loving butterfly, Vanessa Lia Vecchio, also known as
"La Calabrisella", was tragically taken away from us the morning of January 29, 2016 from a motor vehicle accident while heading up to Big White. She was a fearless 30 year old enjoying and challenging every day God gave her with her infectious laugh, crazy sense
of humour and never-ending smile. She was born November 5, 1985 in 琉璃神社,
a proud Rutland Voodoo, and flaunted her dual Italian-Canadian citizenship. She graduated from Rutland Senior Secondary and attended Okanagan College where she obtained her CEA (Certified Educational Assistant) and Northern College for her ECE (Early Childhood
Education) certificates. She so loved her little students! Vanessa was full of life, laughter, love and forgiveness.
She lived every day to its fullest, travelling the world with her family to Italy, Egypt, Israel, Greece, Turkey, Mexico, Cuba, Disneyland, Disneyworld; later travelling with friends for return visits to New York, Los Angeles, Mexico, Italy, and Costa Rico. She also enjoyed scaring her mother with her cliff-jumping, white water rafting, and zip-lining,not to mention the trip she had planned to Thailand and Australia in two weeks. Vanessa is survived by her grieving mother Joey Anne Vecchio; father Bruce Langham; step-father Bill Stewart; siblings, Leticia (Shawn Klassen) and nephew Nico, Marlisa, Michele, Serena; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. We are at ease knowing she was welcomed in Heaven by her beloved Nana and Papa Vecchio, her Vecchio and Russo great-grandparents, her aunt Cynthia Russo-Kenney, Aunt Elsie and Uncle Val Rampone, Uncle Louie Russo, Uncle Perry Pucci,
Uncle Tom Beckstead, cousin Shannon Beckstead ,and friends Jessica Mayes and Steve Candida. We know, as much as she didn鈥檛 want to leave us,she is happy to be reunited with these special people.
Her Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, February 6, at the Mission Creek Alliance Church in 琉璃神社.
The public is welcome to come early to see Vanessa and say their goodbyes to her between 10:00-11:00 am. Please feel free to write your favourite story about
Vanessa on her butterfly tree. The service will begin at 11:00 am and there will be an opportunity to share your
story about Vanessa during this time. Everyone is invited to join the family for a luncheon reception immediately
following the service at Springfield Funeral Home. After the luncheon we will bring Vanessa to Lakeview Memorial where she will be put in a Mausoleumnext to her Nana and Papa.In lieu of flowers, donations would be greatly appreciated
for a Vanessa Vecchio Scholarship Fund for ECE and CEA students in School District 23.
Condolences may be sent to the family
by visiting www.springfieldfuneralhome.com
250-860-7077
