Vanessa J. (D'Arts) Pucine

Vanessa J. (D’Arts) Pucine began her journey in Spirit, being held in the loving arms of G~d, of Christ, on January 21, 2022. She is survived by her son Michael, sister Yvonne, brother Adrian and his wife Linda with their family, Frank and Laura Pucine, and dear friends Mary and Tony Citrinite and their family. Vanessa was born in Colchester, England on June 8, 1948, to Irene Mable Warren and William J.R. “Reggie” D’Arts. The family sailed to the New Country, to Canada, when she was 10. After a few years, they migrated once more and landed right in the middle of East Utica; she lived the rest of her life in Utica, New York. Vanessa went to UCA Girls High School with a dream to attend FIT in NYC to become a fashion designer and make beautiful clothes. Even though she didn’t go to FIT but instead to Utica College, her dream endured and eventually came true, finding a way to its fulfillment. In the mid-1970s, Vanessa married William “Bill” Griffith and they had a son, Michael. Although the marriage was relatively brief, they remained caring friends throughout their lives. In the mid-1980s, fate would have it that a friend of Vanessa’s set her up on a blind date with Angelo “Tiny” Pucine, and the couple never looked back. Vanessa and Angelo shared a 35-year, Grace-filled, “in Love,” blessed and beautiful journey of life partnership (married 30+ years), until Angelo’s passing in 2016. This was a deep loss for Vanessa, perhaps one she never “got over,” which was understandable, though he remained close in Spirit every day. Those of us who knew this couple, we honor Vanessa and “Tiny” for your joyful, miraculous example of what a partnership can be. To say Angelo adored Vanessa would be an understatement; he cherished her and would do anything for her. We know their spirits continue their dance of Joy and Love. Vanessa worked at Bank of Utica for 40+ years, dedicated to helping provide stability for her family and herself. She was a true delight to those who knew her. She had a sweet, kind, and generous heart—that’s who she was. However, watch out if somebody crossed anyone in her family or people she cared about. :) Those who knew her were blessed by her Love and Goodness. She ended up sharing her fashion gifts after all, by joyfully creating beautiful clothing and garments for many friends and family. Vanessa took great pride in creating a beautiful home adorned with many crafts and knickknacks and her own embroidered designs. She was also passionate about music: from back in her college days when she saw the Beatles live in-person, to listening to Don Henley on repeat for days straight, to an ecstatic love for Queen and Freddie Mercury. Harry Potter and witches and vampire stories delighted and fascinated her wonderful imagination. True to her English roots, she and her life-long friend and dear sister Yvonne would watch many an English program, laughing wildly together. Vanessa often would say, as her house can attest, that she ought to have been born in the Victorian age. Maybe so... however, for those who loved her, we are so grateful that she brought the Victorian age to us instead and much more. Thank G~d for her head-thrown-back, “good witch,” infectious laugh! We will always Love you, Dear Vanessa. Thank you to Dr. Din, Dr. McBride, Dr. Dhabhar and his staff, along with the nurses of Faxton St. Luke’s, for your help, care, and compassion, and to Hospice and Palliative care for your critical service. Vanessa’s Visitation and Celebration of Life will start at 1:00 pm on Saturday, February 5, 2022, at Eannace Funeral Home, Inc., 932 South St., corner of Hammond Ave. Regardless of vaccination status, face masks are required to remain in compliance with the state and county mask order. This tribute was composed by her son, Michael, with family input. Last but not least, she was an extraordinary mother.

Vanessa J. (D'Arts) Pucine

June 8, 1948 - January 21, 2022