Victoria M. Ruperto " Vicki" Belcher

Victoria M. " Vicki" Ruperto Belcher 1924 - 2009 PITTSFIELD Victoria M. "Vicki" Ruperto Belcher, 84, of 57 Lillian St., passed away on Thursday, Aug. 20, at Berkshire Medical Center, surrounded by her family after a battle with a long illness. Born in Pittsfield on Dec. 22, 1924, daughter of Francesco Ruperto and Elizabeth Salvaggio Ruperto, she attended local schools and graduated from Pittsfield High School in 1942. Vicki owned and operated Vicki's Apparel from 1980 to 1992, a women's dress shop that offered fine fashions. Prior to her ownership, she worked as a store manager for Town and Country Women's Apparel, 1964 - 1980, and Yezzi's, 1956-1964. Vicki opened her own store in 1980 in the former Dunham Mall, her store was destroyed in an early morning block fire. Determined and a fighter, she reopened in 10 days in the Elglo Mall, the Friday after Thanksgiving, with all new merchandise and a few fire sale items. Her entire family rallied around her positive attitude, building a new store in such a short period of time. The business's last stop was the Berkshire Common, squeezed between Friendly's and James Jewelers. She loved her buying trips to the New York City Garment District often buying a "one of a kind" in this area for a few special customers. After her retirement she worked part time for Deidre's until the age of 81. She had a natural eye for fashion and always told the customer the truth even if it meant losing the sale. Someone once said "she could sell the Brooklyn Bridge twice". She spent over 35 years in the retail fashion industry and it came to define her. Prior to her years in fashion, she worked as a private secretary for the former Eaton Paper Company. Vicki was married to Robert "Bob" Belcher for almost 62 years. He predeceased her in May 2008. She leaves a daughter, and her husband, Christine and Donald Launt of Pittsfield; a son and his wife, John "Jack" Belcher and wife Christine, of Nashua, N.H.; two sisters, Mary "Dolly" D'Amore and Frances Fazio, and her husband, Fran, of Pittsfield; six grandchildren, Melissa, Mary and Melanie Launt of Pittsfield and Robbie, Jacob and Jason Belcher of Nashua, N.H.; and four great-grandchildren, Mason Launt, Brittany and Alexandria McKnight and Olivia Kathleen Murphy. FUNERAL NOTICE: Services will be Monday, Aug. 24, at 9 a.m. from the FLYNN & DAGNOLI-BENCIVENGA FUNERAL HOME, 5 Elm St., Pittsfield, MA, 01201. A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church with the Rev. James K. Joyce, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in the family plot at St. Joseph's Cemetery. Calling hours at the funeral home will be Sunday, Aug. 23, from 4 to 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital in care of the funeral home.