Vicki Pastorelle

North Hutchinson Island, Fla. - After an eight-year battle with lung cancer that began in October 2002, Vicki (Tonna) Pastorelle, a resident of North Hutchinson Island, Fla. and summer resident of Mystic, was summoned home and embraced by a loving God on June 20, 2010. She died at home as she had wished, surrounded by two of her sisters, her youngest grandchild, and her daughter. Vicki defied every medical statistic and prognosis and was a three-time graduate of hospice. She began her fourth and final round in January 2010.

Vicki was born on Feb. 25, 1935, in Worcester, Mass., the fourth of seven children, to Theodore and Veronica (Dima) Tonna. She attended the Bancroft School, Northampton School for Girls, and graduated from Mary C. Wheeler in Providence. After that, Vicki attended Skidmore College School of Nursing and trained at New York University Hospital. It was there she met her husband, D. Joseph Pastorelle, Jr. MD. Upon their first meeting by a patient's bedside, Joe is reported to have told one of the other residents, "There is the woman I am going to marry." Engaged on Aug. 23, 1954, they married June 11, 1955.

Vicki was a phenomenal bowler, New York Times crossword puzzle addict, party planner, skilled tennis player, and in health, an avid reader. She was also an amazing knitter and designed and knitted several of her grandchildren's christening gowns and blankets. She was a talented artist as well; one of her most meaningful designs is a sculpture of Our Lady of Lourdes, which now has its home outside Assumption Chapel at St. Edmund's Retreat Center in Mystic. Several years ago, in memory of her husband Joe and in keeping with her devotion to the Blessed Mother, Vicki also donated the funds to light up the Mary Garden at Saint Patrick Church in Mystic.

While primarily a wife and mother, and active charity fundraiser, she spent many years managing her husband's surgical practice in White Plains, N.Y., until he retired. Vicki loved her oceanside residence in Florida and planned many a cocktail party in the clubhouse, and even a few fashion shows. She will be remembered most for her formidable presence, her indomitable will, her dedication to the New York Yankees, her almost superhuman strength, her exquisite taste, her intellectual acuity and superior Scrabble skills, her fierce loyalty, her independence, and her profound love for her family and her beloved Beau. Her passing has left a tiny tear in the family's fabric that can never be mended.

Vicki's husband Joe, passed away on May 19, 2002.

Vicki is survived by her daughter, Veronica La Vista; her son-in-law, Barry; their five children, Justin, Alexander, Francis, Victoria, and Dominique; her sons, Dominick J. (Dee) and John J. Pastorelle. In addition, Vicki is survived by her sisters, Mary (Chris) Cocaine, Jean (William) Welch, Joan (James) Christo, Diane Tonna; her brothers, Arthur (Mary) Tonna, Theodore "Teddy" (Betty) Tonna, and George (Lynne) Tonna. Vicki is also survived by her stepmother, Florica Tonna, as well as numerous nieces and nephews who remember her as "Auntie Vicki.", and a brother-in-law, Paul Bregou of Syracuse, N.Y.

She was predeceased by a sister, Loretta Bregou in March of 2010.

The family will receive friends from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Friday, June 25, at the Mystic Funeral Home, Route 1, Mystic followed by a memorial Mass for Vicki and her beloved husband, Joe, at 12:05 p.m. at Saint Patrick Church, 32 East Main St. in Mystic. Interment at Elm Grove Cemetery will immediately follow the mass.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made be made in her memory to Saint Edmund's Retreat, P.O. Box 299, Mystic, CT 06355; Saint Patrick Church, P.O. Box 236, Mystic, CT 06355; or Hospice of Southeastern Connecticut, 227 Dunham Street, Norwich, CT 06360.

The family invites you to visit www.mysticfuneralhome.com for directions and to share an online message of condolence.