MIDDLEBURY — Isabella Ann Vinci, 65, a longtime Middlebury resident, died Feb. 17, 2021. She was born on August 27, 1955, to Mary Ellen and Anthony Vinci in Astoria, Queens, N.Y. An only child, she grew up in a close-knit community of European immigrants where parents and grandparents opened their backyards and gardens to the many children who freely mingled.

Isabella’s paternal grandfather, Anthony Vinci, was from Sicily. At age 12 he decided to go to America, the land of opportunity, alone. He jumped aboard a ship that arrived at New York City’s Ellis Island. He worked in the garment district, married and had two sons. Anthony, the oldest, became a NYC policeman and Vincent became a doctor. The grandfather’s personality of independence and risk-taking, was passed down to his sons and on to his granddaughter.

Isabella was somewhat of a rebel in her younger years. She had a life-long love of dancing and popular music and grew up going to the countless clubs and dance halls in the big city. Her father was also fond of music and played in a small band in a club where Isabella often worked as she grew older. Isabella was especially a fan of the Beatles, and her prized possession was a signed picture of all four of them at the 1966 Shea Stadium concert that her dad had been able to get as he was on duty for the concert.

Dogs were a part of her family, and Isabella grew up loving animals. After her parents passed away, she got a condo and a puppy, a poodle she named Daisy Sue. She learned that she needed help caring for the needs of Daisy Sue, who was a loving and wonderful animal friend. She asked her aunt to take care of Daisy Sue when she moved to Vermont to be close to the last of her immediate family. She lived for ten years on North Pleasant Street, where she had a rich and varied circle of friends. Her love of music never dimmed and she was a huge fan of Dancing with the Stars. Some years she would venture to Las Vegas. When her aunt moved to Oregon she was not afraid to jump on a plane to travel 3,000 miles across country to visit her aunt and Daisy Sue.

In 2019, Isabella had to move away from downtown Middlebury. She missed the friends who used to stop by. Living isolated in the country in a trailer instead being part of a busy community of apartments and multifamily dwellings was challenging. There she bravely fought many ailments that required a series of hospital stays.

A lifelong Catholic, she passed on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021. To reflect her love of animals, always full of such unconditional love, Isabella bequeathed a sizeable sum, saved from disability payments, to the Addison County Humane Society. She is survived by her aunt, Ann Vinci Gibson. She was predeceased by her parents and her uncle, Vincent Vinci.

A memorial service for Isabella will be held on Saturday, June 12, at 2 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church, Middlebury. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Addison County Home Health and Hospice or the Counseling Service of Addison County. ◊