Betty I. Fanelli

BERLIN — Betty Irene (Van Dyke) Fanelli passed away on January 5, 2013.

She was born in Michigan on June 22, 1923. She married Alexander Fanelli on June 22, 1944. They met while they both served in the Army-Air Force during WWII.

Betty is survived by her daughter, Katherine Fanelli and son-in-law Peter Burmeister; grandson Colin Alexander Gunn; and many wonderful nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her son, Christopher Fanelli, in 1965 and by her husband in 2001.

She and Alex and the children were blessed with a grand adventure in the ’50s and early ’60s when Alex’s new job was with the Embassy in Rome, Italy. After their son passed away, they decided to move to Hanover, N.H., where Alex worked at Dartmouth College until his retirement. Betty was radically active in politics and environmentalism. They moved to Montpelier in the early ’90s to be closer to their daughter and grandson.

In 2010, Betty came to live with her daughter and son-in-law on their farm. She very happily joined in the rhythms of farm life until last month when she made it known she was ready to reunite with her husband and son.

Betty was an avid reader and she and Alex frequented and supported the local library. Contributions in her name may be made to The Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 135 Main St., Montpelier, VT 05602.