Jane Barranco

Barbara Jane Barranco, 85, a long-time resident of Montpelier, Vermont, passed away on February 14, 2026, following a brief hospitalization. She had resided at Bear Creek Assisted Living in West Windsor, New Jersey, for the past two years. Jane was born in Little Falls, Minnesota, on August 30, 1940, the second of four children to Robert Lester LaChapelle and Hazel McNallan LaChapelle.

Following the Second World War, her father's career as an engineer with the Veterans Administration led the family to live in several locations across the Midwest. Jane spent the core years of her childhood in Hot Springs, South Dakota, with shorter stints in Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Denver, Colorado; Dallas, Texas; and finally, Saginaw, Michigan. She attended high schools in three different cities over four years and graduated from St. Andrews in Saginaw in 1958.

Jane went on to attend Mercy Central School of Nursing in Grand Rapids, Michigan, graduating in 1961. She began her nursing career in San Francisco, California, followed by Long Beach, California, and later Queen's Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. There, in 1966, she met a young engineer, Peter Barranco, on a double date-the love of her life. Jane later recalled knowing it was true love during an early date in Peter's convertible, when she tried to scoot closer to him across the wide front bench seat, only to be gently asked to move back and fasten her seat belt. Safety first. They were married in Honolulu in 1967.

In 1970, Jane and Peter moved to Vermont, first to Essex Junction and then, in 1973, to their beloved house in the Meadow in Montpelier. After an itinerant childhood and young adulthood, Jane found her true home in Vermont. She remained in Central Vermont for the next 50 years. Their home became not only her residence but the foundation of her life she built raising her family, building a long and meaningful career as a registered nurse and subsequently an infection control nurse at Central Vermont Medical Center, and forming deep and lasting ties to her community. She was a long-time parishioner of St. Augustine's Church in Montpelier. Within her community she volunteered her time generously in many local circles, including many years of devoted services at a domestic violence shelter.

Jane enjoyed quilting and knitting, playing bridge, tending to her flowers and plants – especially her beautiful orchids. She loved to travel, was an avid reader, and delighted in watching ice hockey, especially Norwich games. Most of all, she cherished time spent with family and friends and was a gracious hostess and a warm and kind presence. She took special joy in being a mother and grandmother, delighting in visits and everyday moments together. Time spent with her sons, their spouses and her two grandchildren brought her immense happiness, and she remained deeply interested in their lives, always offering warmth and encouragement.

She is survived by her son, David and his wife, Christie of West Windsor, New Jersey, and their two sons, Matthew and James; and by her son, John and his husband, Mateo of Quincy, Massachusetts. Jane is also survived by her sister, Gail of Littleton, Colorado; her brother, Joseph of Saratoga Springs, New York; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Peter in 2023, by her parents, and by her brother, Dennis.

Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Augustine's Church, 16 Barre Street, Montpelier, VT 05602, with a reception to follow the service.

Donations may be made in her memory to Circle Vermont (circlevt.org).

Arrangements are under the direction of Simplicity Funeral and Cremation Services at Glackin Chapel, 136 Morrison Ave., Hightstown, NJ.