Jeanette E. (Vitagliano) Zumpano went to meet her savior on the Feast of Christ the King.  She was born May 3, 1925 the daughter of Antonio V. and Carmela (Taurisano) Vitagliano and celebrated a 70-year love affair with her husband John S. Zumpano whom she married May 24, 1952. Their love blessed them with ten children, eight loved son/daughter's "in-law", thirty-five grandchildren, many great grandchildren and near one hundred nieces and nephews across four generations.  Their love celebrated "family" among all of them all the time.

She worked in her father's wholesale grocery business, A. Vitagliano & Co. from the 1930s and in 1965 acquired it with her husband and together increased it thirty-five-fold over the twenty-five years they owned and operated it.  In 1991, they sold it to the third generation who ninety-three years after it was started by her father, still operate it as Avico Distributing and Broad Street Cash and Carry where many locals still enjoy buying bulk food, paper products and Avico "Utica Grind" Crushed Red Pepper and other spices.  She was a woman owned business before anyone knew there was such a thing and after starting work with her father in the 1930's, she finished her entrepreneurial career doing her passion selling antiques in a shop and on E-Bay until she was eighty-six!  While she was a celebrated entrepreneur, she was an even more successful loving wife and mother.  She ran a "tight ship" and kept everyone on task and on track while exhibiting unconditional love and support to all her family.  She and her husband trucked her ten kids annually on camping trips and other family vacations and regular Sunday dinners which created a love between them all they still enjoy and treasure.  She was always happy and accommodated both her and her husband's families for Sunday coffee and pastries, holiday celebrations and regular family gatherings to celebrate her children's birthdays, communions, confirmations, graduations and every other accomplishment they achieved that deserved recognition.  So many of the extended family have shared how much they still remember and cherish the family events she hosted.

She leaves behind her husband John who has doted over her and in the past few years was with her 24/7. If he was out of her sight more than thirty minutes, she was calling for him to which he always gladly responded with love. She also leaves behind her Children John S, Jr. (Wilma), Sylvia T., Gina M. McFarland (Jay), Salvatore P. (Ann), Dr. Antonio V. (Patty), Paul M. (Lauren), Dr. James J. (Joyce), Robert F., Thomas J. (Robin), David J., Esq. (Christine) and all thirty-five of her grandchildren whom she loved and shared many life stories and lessons with.  She was pre-deceased by her three siblings, Marie C. Vitagliano, Paul F. Vitagliano and Diane V. (Vitagliano) Mancuso and shared a special relationship with her sister-in-law, Donna M. Vitagliano and her brother-in-law, David A. Mancuso, who both survive her. She was also pre-deceased by her husband's siblings, Ceasar, Anthony, Ernie, Joe, Rita (Paciello), Mary (Morreale), Genevieve, Theresa (Malara), and Anita Zumpano.

The family is grateful to the many caregivers who provided her an abundance of love and care over the past 30 months and allowed her to enjoy her final years at home enjoying her husband and family to the fullest extent possible.

Her Celebration of life will be held at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Mt. Carmel/Blessed Sacrament Church, 648 Jay St., Utica, NY where amass of Christian burial will be celebrated by the Rev. James Cesta. We ask guests to adhere to Covid-19 regulations, wearing mask coverings over nose and mouth  and register prior to the service. In lieu of donations, we ask you say a prayer for the repose of her soul and make any donation you wish to a charity of your choice in her name during this holiday season where much  is needed by many.

Arrangements under the guidance of John L Matt Funeral Home, Chadwicks, NY .To send an online greeting go to ww.johnlmattfuneralhome.com