June Jennifer Vingiello passed away peacefully at the age of 92 on Oct. 6, 2024, in Boston, Mass., surrounded by family.
She was born on Aug. 7, 1932, in Bayonne, N.J., to Aaron “Harry” Israels and Edith Hoffinger. June was the second of three daughters.
June grew up in The Bronx. She graduated from Hunter College in Manhattan and went into teaching.
June married Richard Vingiello in 1952 and their first two children were born while they lived in Queens.
In 1966 the family moved to Tuxedo Park. Richard established his own law practice in West Haverstraw, and after raising a further three children June became his legal secretary, bookkeeper and paralegal. June also acted as hostess of campaign events when Richard became involved in local politics.
Although June did not work very long as a teacher, by her example June taught throughout her whole life. June also fed people, literally and figuratively. She gave her husband and children, and many of her children’s friends, unconditional love and support. As her children grew up and their lives took them to different parts of the country or the world, June did not think twice about jumping on a plane to support any of them when necessary. She was there to help through illnesses or the arrival of babies.
June was also fearless: from when she was already into her 40’s, June tried skiing, pony-trekking on Dartmoor and travelling abroad on her own.
In 2010, after Richard had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, June orchestrated the sale of their beloved family home in Tuxedo and their move to Brooksby Village, a retirement community in Peabody, Mass. There they quickly made fabulous new friends and seized opportunities to join the gym, go on organized trips, sing in the community choir (June) and engage in the Italian-American club.
For more than 15 years, and nearly to the end of her own life, June cared for Richard lovingly and uncomplainingly through his battle with Alzheimer’s until he passed away in December 2023.
June Vingiello will be remembered best for her limitless love of and care for her family, for her boundless strength, for her wisdom, and for her superlative cooking.
Her legacy is that she lives on in her five children: Denise, Adrienne, Andrew, Michael and Rachel, her seven grandchildren, her many nieces and nephews and their children.
A private memorial service will be held on May 18.