Gilda Bickford Vedovelli

1927 - 2014

Gilda Bickford Vedovelli, age 87, of Newington, widow of John Bickford and Philip Vedovelli, passed from this world on November 4, 2014 as she lived her life, on her own terms, in the comfort of her home. Born in 1927 to the late Rocco DiFrancesco and Genevieve Vincenti DiFrancesco, New Britain was home for "Jill". A 1944 graduate of New Britain High School, she was the first of her seven siblings to do so. A lightning fast typist, she was recruited to assist the war effort in Washington D.C. but was unable to convince her parents to allow their young daughter to move to the big city. Disappointed but not discouraged, she landed a job with the telephone company as an operator where she met the dashingly handsome, John "Jack" Bickford. Married in 1947, they raised their family of three children in Torrington where Jack had been transferred, still with the phone company for a few more years. Jill was the foundation, the rock, upon which her family relied for so much her entire life. Whether she was nursing her eldest son back from the ravages of polio or baking a perfect apple pie, she gave it her all and did it well. Needing employment with flexibility back in the '60's, Jill became a real estate broker, opening her own agency and becoming only the second licensed female agent in Litchfield County. Long a pioneer for the acceptance of women in business, she served for nearly twenty-five years as Secretary for the Litchfield County Multiple Listing Service. The testimonial tribute she received from her colleagues upon her retirement was a great source of pride throughout her life. Widowed in 1974 after the premature passing of her beloved Jack, Jill was eventually courted by her second love, Philip Vedovelli, a long-time family friend, whom she married several years later. They remained together for twenty-seven years making their home for most of that time with her daughter's family in Newington. Jill is survived by her three children, John Bickford and his wife Gloria of Edgewater, MD; Gerald "Jerry" Bickford of Torrington; Janice Beckner and her husband Stephen of Newington; her last surviving sister, Julie Rio of East Haddam and last surviving brother, Raymond DiFrancesco and his wife Ann of Plainville. Her grandchildren, a great source of joy and pride in her life are Ashley Karger and her husband Wesley of Boston, MA; John "Jack" Bickford and his wife Sara of San Diego, CA; Katie Beckner and her fiance Casey Puzycki of Enfield; and Elliot Bickford and his longtime girlfriend Ashley Reardon of Torrington. Two great-grandchildren: the only bright spot in her final days, Cayden Puzycki, and newest family addition Brooks Karger. She was predeceased by siblings Betty Lukasiewski, Mary Maorani, Louis (Bobo) DiFrancesco, Viola Gronowski, and Ann Dorbuck. Her funeral service will be held on Friday, 9:00 a.m., at Newington Memorial Funeral Home, 20 Bonair Ave., Newington, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial, 10:00 a.m. at Holy Spirit Church, Newington. She will be laid to rest in St. Mary Cemetery, New Britain. Calling hours for Jill will be held today from 4:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at Newington Memorial. To share a memory with her family, please visit us at www.newingtonmemorial.com