Jeanne Vecchi

Jeanne Arlene Vecchi, of Duluth died Sunday, October 11, 2015 in Duluth. A much beloved wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend, joined our Lord in Heaven on Sunday, October 11, 2015. Jeanne was born on March 1, 1933, the daughter of Ethel and Clarence Dugdale, in Huron, South Dakota. She spent her childhood in Minneapolis, near Lake Calhoun, and graduated from Minneapolis Southwest High School, in 1951. There, she served as Tri Vice President and was active in The Girls Athletic Association, Blue Tri and The Commencement Councils After graduation, Jeanne became a private secretary for The Minnesota Amusement Company and soon after, met the love of her life Thomas A. Vecchi. They married on May 16, 1953, at Christ The King Catholic Church, in Minneapolis and were married for 62 years. They began their union in Hibbing, Minnesota, where six of their seven children were born. Jeanne loved Hibbing and was much involved with friends and the community there. She didn't mind when, from time to time, they reminded her that "You're really not a Ranger".
In 1963, Tom and Jeanne moved their family to Duluth. There they resided for 50 years, in their lovely 1884 Queen Anne Victorian home, at 4840 London Road. Jeanne was always a very creative woman. She was a wonderful cook and entertainer, who attended The Marcella Hazan Cooking School, in Bologna, Italy. She loved gardening and was an outstanding quilter, completing more than 100 quilts. She made special quilts for each of her children, grandchildren and numerous babies. She even made a red, white and blue "Desert Storm" quilt for General Norman Schwarzkopf, who personally wrote to thank her. In 1979, Jeanne and Tom met and had a lovely conversation with Pope John Paul ll, at the White House in Washington D.C. He blessed them and the handful of rosaries and medals that Jeanne had brought along. It was a beautiful moment. Jeanne was a Charter Board Member of Festival Opera Company of Duluth- Superior , served several terms on The Duluth Library Board, was an avid member of The Duluth Bible Group, at The First Lutheran Church. Jeanne will be greatly missed. She was a dear and generous woman who would give you the shirt off her back if she thought you wanted or needed it. She always thought of everyone else before worrying about herself.
Left behind to mourn her loss and celebrate her life, is her husband Thomas A. Vecchi and their children: Denise Waack, Steven (Jan) Vecchi, Dawn (Ron) Dutton, Lisa Ratliff, Tom Vecchi Jr. and John Vecchi. She leaves her grandchildren: Damien McKnight (Alona), Kate Vecchi, Christina Vecchi, Haley Waack, Cole Waack, Anthony Vecchi, Joseph Vecchi, Michaella Ratliff, Tessa Volka�"Vecchi and Juliette Volka�"Vecchi. Jeanne is now united in Heaven with her son Michael Vecchi, parents Ethel and Clarence Dugdale and brother Bob Dugdale. The family would like to express special thanks to the wonderful caregivers and medical staff of Marywood Assisted Care/ Benedictine Health Center. Visitation will be Sunday from 5-7pm with Wake Prayers at 6:30pm in the Dougherty Funeral home. Visitation will continue Monday from 10am to the 11am Mass of Christian Burial at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary, 2801 E 4th St. Duluth, MN.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Holy Rosary School, of Duluth, 2802 E 4th St. Duluth, MN 55812. Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, 600 E 2nd St. Duluth, (218) 727-3555.