McDONOUGH – Mrs. Vera Belle Prestigiacomo, 81, of 31 Elm Street Dolgeville, died late Thursday evening, April 30, 2008 at the Heritage Health Care Center, Utica.
She was born on May 26, 1926 in McDonough, the daughter of Ward and Edith (Wright) Simpson and was a graduate of Oxford Central School, Oxford.
Her marriage to Benedict “Benny” Prestigiacomo took place on April 22, 1949 at the home of his parents in Dolgeville. They recently celebrated 59 years of marriage.
Vera was first employed by the Daniel Green Company of Dolgeville, upon leaving there she became a local business women. She was an independent consultant for the Beeline Clothes Company. She then became co-owner and operator of the Dolgeville Bowling Center for over 12 years. Along with running the bowling center she worked with her family at Debbie’s Video Store for several years.  She then went to work for the Dolgeville Housing Authority as the bookkeeper which she held for 15 years. Her love of family and children also led her to “baby sit” several of her Grandchildren along with other children in the Dolgeville area.
She was a faithful member of St. Joseph’s Church, a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Dolgeville Fire Department for over 40 years, a member of the Tuesday Night Bowling League, and she also served as a den mother for the local cub scout pack for many years. For her service to the Boy Scouts, she was awarded the Silver Beaver Award. She personally enjoyed crafts, knitting and crocheting, along with cooking for her family.
She is survived by her husband Benedict; her sons and their wives: Vincent and Susan Prestigiacomo and Barry and Debbie Prestigiacomo both of Dolgeville; her daughters and their husbands: Joanne and Terry Williams of Dolgeville, and Bonnie and Doug, Schroeder of Columbus, Ohio; her brothers: Dean Simpson and Robert Simpson both of McDonough; her sisters: Esther Beckwith of Crowley, Texas, and Blanche Tefft of Oxford; her grandchildren: Heather Tuthill and her husband Derrek, Corinne and her husband Joe Picataggi, Trevor Williams and his companion Donna Doerrer, Maria Prestigiacomo and her companion Randy Randall, Theresa Prestigiacomo and her companion Damon Daukontas and daughter Maryia, Stephen Prestigiacomo and his fiancée Freddie Hull, Anthony and his wife Kimberly Prestigiacomo and Joseph Prestigiacomo and his companion Brittany Cerasi, Christopher Schroeder and Brittany Schroeder; her great-grandchildren: Joey, William, Andrew, Isabella, Theodore and Nora; several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a brother, Aubrey Simpson.
A funeral Mass will be offered at 2 p.m. Saturday at at St. Joseph’s Church Helmer Avenue Dolgeville. Rev. Leo F. Potvin will be the celebrant. Burial will follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Calling hours are on Friday from 5-8 p.m. at the Roberts & Enea Family Funeral Home 3 Faville Avenue Dolgeville.
Memorial may be sent to The Heritage Health Center 1657 Sunset Avenue Utica, NY 13502 or to the Dolgeville Boy Scout Troop 18, c/o Curtis Eggleston 94 North Helmer Avenue Dolgeville, NY 13329 in her memory.
An online message of sympathy or a remembrance of Vera may be sent to the family at www.robertsandenea.com.