Willa Jewell (Gilpin) Lasprogato, 93, of Vero Beach died Saturday Oct. 2, 2010, in Vero Beach.
She was born Oct. 26, 1916, to Elvie Guy Gilpin & Elsie Pearl (Lewis) Gilpin. She married Michael J. Lasprogato June 3, 1945 in Grand Island, Neb. Jewell and Mike lived in Norwalk and Fairfield, Conn., before retiring to Barefoot Bay in 1983.
In July 2005, they moved to The Isles of Vero, Vero Beach. Jewel was a graduate of Nebraska State Teacher’s College, now called The University of Nebraska, Kearney.
She worked at the Charles of the Ritz Cosmetic Company, So., Norwalk, Conn., as import/export manager.
Jewell retired from the Save the Children Foundation, Westport, Conn., as an insurance coordinator. She was a member of the Ladies of the Year, Lion Aides of Barefoot Bay, Friends of the Library and served on the South Mainland Library Advisory Board.
She enjoyed sewing, crafts, reading, and crossword puzzles.
Survivors include her daughter, Mary Jo (Robert) Vitulli, Sebastian; step-grandson; Michael (Beth) Vitulli; two step-great-grandchildren; sisters, Juanita Hill, of Ellisville, Mo., Jessie Patterson, of Elkhorn, Neb., and Jean Koppernolle, of Belle Vista, Ark.; brother, Lee Gilpin of Cheyenne, Wyo.; many nieces, nephews, grand- and great-nieces and -nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Michael; and brothers, Dayne and Alvie Gilpin.
Contributions may be made to Save the Children Foundation, 54 Wilton Rd., Westport, CT 06880, www.savethechildren.org.
Fountainhead Funeral Home in Charge of Arrangements.
