Mildred E. Scrizzi

BARRE - Mildred E. "Millie" (Belville) Scrizzi, beloved mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, sister and aunt, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2010, at the age of 89, surrounded by her family.

Cherished wife of the late Bruno G. Scrizzi, Millie was a lifelong local resident. Born Jan. 20, 1921, in Barre Town, daughter of Freda (Aylwin) Belville and William T. Belville, she graduated from Spaulding High School in 1938 and earned a bachelor of education from the University of Vermont in 1942. She then taught elementary school in Montpelier, Washington and Barre. During a period of World War II, Millie and her sister, Dorothy, ran the family trucking company when their father was ill.

Millie married Bruno Scrizzi, a World War II veteran and granite worker, in 1947, a year of family weddings. She returned to teaching in 1952, as a city substitute teacher and went on to become a teacher and principal at Ward 5 School. They were blessed by twin daughters in 1959 and Millie became a full-time mother, later returning to substitute teaching when her girls started junior high school.

Millie loved reading, gardening, cooking, movies and music from her youth, crossword puzzles and following the news of the day. Her husband, daughters, and their families were her greatest joys. She was very proud of her four grandchildren and treasured the time she spent with each, chatting about their interests and adventures. She also dearly loved spending time with her extended family, especially holiday gatherings, birthday outings and, more recently, senior suppers with "the gang."

Millie's sweetness, good cheer, thoughtfulness, strength and caring made her a second mother to many and endeared her to everyone she met.

Millie was predeceased by her husband Bruno, brother Robert "Bummy" Belville, sister Dorothy "Dot" Lavin, and nephew Thomas Belville. She leaves two daughters and their families, Patti, Jim, Ben and Sarah Darsigny of Newtonville, Mass., and Kathi, Ron, Molly and Meg Driscoll of Marstons Mills, Mass.; two sisters, Marion Hazelton of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Caroline Scott and husband Frank of Barre; a brother, Walter, and wife Jan of Barre; a sister-in-law, Margaret "Tootie" Belville; and many adored nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

A service of remembrance will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 1, 2010, at Hooker Whitcomb Funeral Home, 7 Academy St., Barre. A graveside service at Hope Cemetery will follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Meals on Wheels program at The Galley, 14 Washington St., Suite 5110, Barre, VT 05641.