Vincenzina "Vivian" Antonietta Anna DeAngelis Walters
“Grazie, Mamma, per tutto quello che hai fatto per noi.”
(“Thank you, Mom, for all that you did for us.”)
On February 8, 2022, we sadly said goodbye to a beautiful wife, loving mother, talented artisan, fabulous cook, and all-around wonderful person, Vincenzina DeAngelis Walters.
Born January 17, 1937 in the small village of San Pio, Fontecchio, in the Province of L’Aquila,Italy. Vincenzina was the eldest of three children. She spent her childhood similarly to many young girls of the region and time, helping with farm chores, going to school, and learning needlework, cooking, and housekeeping from her hardworking mother.
Vincenzina’s gift for languages was evident at an early age, and unlike most of her classmates, she received introductory tutoring in the English language. Though only 14 years old at the time, it was with this skill that she served as the family interpreter when she and her mother, younger brother and sister immigrated to the United States and settled in Portland, Oregon. They were later were joined by their father, who had been working in South America in order to finance the family’s immigration to America.
As a member of the International Students Club, Vincenzina studied and became fluent in 3 languages, graduating from Cleveland High School in Portland. She worked as a department store elevator operator, and then sales clerk, though ultimately finding her calling as an award-winning ballroom dance instructor with Arthur Murray Dance Studio in Portland. There she met her future husband, Bob Walters, who, with a friend, thought that taking dance lessons would be a nice way to meet young women. However, it was Bob who was swept off his feet; he and Vincenzina were married on August 15, 1959, and a year later their first daughter arrived.
Vincenzina devoted herself to motherhood until eventually all five of her children were raised. Throughout the many and frequent relocations that Bob’s career presented the young family, Vincenzina learned to navigate every new town and neighborhood, while using her many talents to make each new house into a home and haven for her family. She believed it important to preserve her Italian culture, as she passed down Italian traditions, nourished her family with love and delicious, nutritious meals (always made from scratch), and taught by example how to be kind, generous and self-sufficient.
Once her children were grown, Vincenzina reinvented herself as an entrepreneur and opened “Yarns Unique” — a specialty yarn boutique, where she sold elegant and unique yarns, taught knitting and other needlework, and offered homemade biscotti and coffee to her many clients. She found great purpose and enjoyment in creating a community of knitters that included designing and executing intricate patterns and helping her customers knit their own finely crafted garments, and entering her creations into local fashion and art shows. In addition to her textile expertise, Vincenzina’s creativity poured over into making a variety of authentic homemade pastas and sauces, canning countless jars of produce and jams, creating stunning floral arrangements, and embroidering elaborate cut-work tablecloths as gifts for her family, that are now cherished heirlooms.
As Bob and Vivian entered into retirement, they purchased a winter getaway home in Mesquite, Nevada. The surrounding mountains, and warm, sunny days, reminded her of her home in Italy, and she and Bob enjoyed many seasons there while also maintaining a residence in Utah near their children and grandchildren. “Nonna” shared a deep love and connection with each of her four beautiful granddaughters, and derived immense happiness and joy teaching them about their Italian heritage and culture, how to make homemade pasta, and introducing them to needle arts.
Throughout her life, Vincenzina demonstrated a unique and resilient strength of character, kindness of heart, and generosity of spirit; all part of her legacy that will now live on through her family. She will be forever missed, though never forgotten. “Ti vogliamo bene.” (“We love you”).
Vincenzina is survived by her husband, Bobbie Lee Walters; children: Natalie (Bryan) Ream, Teresa (Glen) Larsen, Mark Walters, Loretta (John) Huston, son-in-law John Case; granddaughters: Mackenzie Ream, Hanna Larsen, Alexa Ream, Claire (Fernando) Escovar; sister Fulvia (David) Anderson, and sister-in-law Nancy DeAngelis. She was preceded in death by her daughter Elaine Case, parents, Ermando and Natalina (Saione) DeAngelis, brother Gino DeAngelis, and sister Flavia DeAngelis.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, February 21, 2021 at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 East Dimple Dell Road (10600 South), Sandy, UT. Interment at the Hardy Way Cemetery in Mesquite, Nevada on February 22, 2022.
To watch the recorded services, please click on the blue "Watch Services" button to the right of her picture.
My dear, sweet Mamma, words just cannot express all the love I have for you, all the sadness I feel, and how much I will forever miss you. I know that much of your life was not easy, but you still always found the selflessness and courage to care so much for me and my siblings. Thank you for all of the love and joy you gave to my daughters, Hanna and Claire. I am so saddened that you are not here to see your first Great Grandchild, Elena, daughter of Claire (& Fernando), who is to arrive in just a couple of weeks. She would have certainly brought you much joy. We will be sure that she, and all your future great grandchildren, grow up knowing all about their Great Grandma Nonna. ~ I hope you now find the serenity and peace you are so deserving of. And above all, please know I would never have been the Mother I am, or the Grandmother I will soon be, without YOU as my Mother. For that, I cannot thank you enough... I love you, and so deeply appreciate you, more than you ever knew. ~ Teresa
Duke and I are so sorry to hear of Vivian's passing. Our best wishes go out to you, Bob, along with your family.
To my second family.
I realize I have now lost my place as the "newest" member of the Walters family, but I did hold that honor for quite some time, and let me again say, thank you for welcoming me with open arms. You all are a very important part of my life.
The first early memory of Vivian that came to mind was of course, a home cooked meal, with several courses. Glen was kind enough to take the newbie family member under his wing, and explain the importance of portion size, as there would be more to come, a lot more, and then seconds on top of that; Vivian was very hard to say no to.
I started my adulthood as a cook in restaurants in Penn State, Alta Utah, Tiburon CA and then back to Pennsylvania for round two; a career-path I think should be a requirement for all boys when they're growing up. I suppose I always cooked, but it's fair to say until I met Elaine it had become more about feeding myself economically out necessity then anything very creative. So yes, a big thank you to Elaine to be sure, for showing me, reminding me, of my love for food, and the joy of sharing a good meal with friends. And of course, Elaine's love for food, and creativity all started with Vivian. I have a busy life, which is cause for some regrets sometimes, but if I can find time to be in the kitchen, and make a meal, for friends or family, it was a day well spent!
So many meals, on Wasatch, and in Mesquite, and of course at our respective houses for Holidays!
As I'm writing this after the Service, which was so lovely, I'm able to thank Bryan and Mark for such a wonderful tribute, to a wonderful woman. I will listen to them both again; and I have a friend or two I will share Mark's recording with as well. After those, I don't know if there's much I can add; very hard acts to follow.
I will miss Vivian though; there certainly was a strong familiar pull of sadness the day I heard she passed.
A really remarkable women, and a remarkable family.
Lots of Love to you all,
John
Our mother was a truly unique and wonderful woman. Life dealt her some unfair cards, but it also gave her 5 healthy children to love. Mom was always there for us and we never doubted her love, although I didn't fully appreciate it until I had to live away from it as an adult. She was our family's anchor and now it's hard not to feel adrift. But I know the foundation of strong values she gave us will carry us through. I could never thank you enough Mom...now please enjoy the peaceful rest you so deserve. You will be in my thoughts every day.
Vivian and me have been friends since our early Cleveland High School Days in Portland, Oregon. We have stayed connected by mail, between our marriages, children, and various job moves, for nearly 70 years; I knew her parents, when they were alive, and younger siblings.
Due to moving around with our spouses, we didn't know in person all four of my kids, or Vivian's five kids, except the short time they lived in Oregon; We sent periodic news letters to keep up with family history, wherever we both lived, or traveled; Vivian was a wonderful friend, and I will miss learning about her, and her family; She was a very good wife mother and in-law to others, her entire life; She made the most artistic and beautiful pieces of knitted garments; Her knitting ability was amazing as a young woman; I'm glad, and proud that I was able to meet and know most of her family, that either moved to America from Italy, or born here. She will always be a special memory, of a long friendship for me;
I hope to share one of God's heavenly clouds, or stars, in the sky, when my turn comes to join the happy spirit life beyond Earth; Bon voyage, Vivian, in comfort, until our families meet again. Sincerely, your high school friend, Rosalie (Carey) DeMartino.
Dearest Mom,
It has been one month since your memorial service and nearly 2 months since we lost your steady, comforting and loving presence in our lives. It still does not seem possible that you are no longer here, at least in the physical sense, and I find it hard to write this, knowing that doing so validates that you are gone...
Your remarkable influence and teaching each one of us about the importance of Family -- not only to your children, but to your Grandchildren also -- is your lasting legacy, and we in turn, hope to honor your dedication and commitment to our Family, as we strive to continue to impart your wisdom, your selfless empathy, and immense love going forward.
To say that we have lost the heart of the Family is an understatement. Our hearts are broken, and though we knew that your physical strength was waning, your strength of character and determination, your kindness -- your heart -- will remain the hallmarks of your life and forever be an example of which we will measure our best selves by.
There simply are no words to express how much I love you, and I only wish I could tell you once more, that
"I love you, more"...
Rest in peace, beautiful Mamma, I hope you are light on your feet as you dance with the Angels --
Ti voglio tante bene,
Your Daughter, Natalie
Remembering & missing our Mom on this first Mother's Day without her. As this marks the 3rd month since her passing, the loss is still profound and the void feels no smaller. I cherish our sweet memories of Mom's boundless love as a light that will shine eternally in our family.
Missing you more than ever on your birthday, Mom. Love, Loretta.