Doris Jean Vacila

Doris Jean Vacila, 79, of Winsted, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 10, 2023. She was born in Belle Vernon, PA the daughter of the late Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Nipaver, also of Belle Vernon, PA. Doris was wed to her high school sweetheart, George G. Vacila on May 25, 1963.  They moved to Simsbury, CT, where they began their life together.

Doris absolutely adored road trips to Lee, MA with her husband George by her side. They would go just to pick up pies to bring back to the family gatherings. She loved flowers of all kinds, but, especially dried flower arrangements, which she adorned throughout her home. Some of her favorite flowers included hydrangeas, poinsettias and rhododendrons. Doris had one other love, her beloved dog Biju. He was her best friend for many years.  

In the 1980's, Doris worked in Manhattan, NY for many years as a Beautician and later as an Administrative Assistant for Colonial Lithograph in Norwalk, CT. She also volunteered at Prime Time in Torrington, CT as a Receptionist.

Doris was a kind, warm-hearted, kindred spirit, whose personality was as eloquent and beautifully unique as her antique collection. She thoroughly enjoyed being surrounded by all of her antiques. Everyone who visited her home would comment on her keen eye for vintage, Victorian decorating. 

Despite her forty+ years of battling debilitating mental illness, Doris was fiercely independent, her own personal tribe at times, but was true to herself and her beliefs, always! She never wavered in her strength throughout battling the storm. She might have been scraped, bruised tattered and scarred while weeding through the thickets and thorn bushes, but it never damaged her spirit! She would absolutely amaze us at times with her incredible courage. She would persevere through some of the worst of times and then turn to us: “are you ok? I'm ok, so please don't cry for me!” 

Doris was the matriarch of this family. It was she who brought and kept our family so tight-knitted, even during the most difficult of times. We will forever remember her lighthearted, gentle manner, her kind words, big smiles, laughter and her endearing ways to uplift the conversation at any gathering. You were one of the lucky ones if you had the privilege of knowing her and spending time with her. 

Through it all, Doris loved her family. Family was everything to her. She would often tell anyone she met that her greatest accomplishments in this life were her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She is survived by her sister, Judy Nipaver of Belle Vernon, PA, two daughters, Danielle Barbieri and her husband Thomas and Christina Martin, and her husband William Martin, Sr., four grandchildren, Brian Wadman and his wife Jeannine, William Martin, Jr., Raymond Martin and Joey Martin and her six great grandchildren, Elliana, Dahlia, Evan, Averi, William, III and Amelia.  Doris was predeceased by her parents, her brother Jerome and her husband George.

All are welcome to come celebrate Doris. Calling hours will be held Wednesday, February 22, 2023 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Maloney Funeral Home, 55 Walnut Street, Winsted, CT. A celebration of life and graveside burial at Saint Joseph's Cemetery, Winsted, CT will take place sometime in the Spring.

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.maloneyfuneral.com. Donations in lieu of flowers may be sent to NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness through http://www.namict.org or https://donate.nami.org/give/197406/#!/donation/check.

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