Alice Katherine (Rooney) Ceppetelli

Alice R. Ceppetelli, 90, of Johnson, VT, passed away peacefully on February 13, 2026 at home on a beautiful sunny afternoon. Alice was the beloved wife of Alfred Ceppetelli for 64 years until his passing in May of 2024. Born Alice Katherine Rooney in Hyde Park, VT on May 14, 1935 to Hubert and Katherine (Mudgett) Rooney, she grew up on a dairy farm, where she gained her love of the outdoors, horseback riding and maple sugaring.  She graduated from Lamoille Central Academy in 1953, and Trinity College in Burlington, VT in 1957, while playing basketball at the high school and collegiate levels. In 1957 Alice relocated to Connecticut to begin her career as a high school science teacher in Stafford Springs, where she met the love of her life, Al.  They were married in 1959 and lived in Stafford and Ellington before building their home in East Windsor, where they resided for 28 years before returning to Vermont upon Al’s retirement in 1994.

After Alice left teaching to raise a family, her years at home centered around a vast vegetable garden and fruit trees that she nurtured for decades, harvesting fruits and vegetables of all kinds which she cooked, baked and preserved to perfection.  She relished her countless hours outdoors in the sun while gardening.  As a nature lover and environmentalist, her promotion of conservation and use of solar power was years ahead of her time.  When her children were grown, she was able to embrace her love of the outdoors by hiking and cross-country skiing.  She hiked the entire 273 mile Long Trail from Vermont’s Massachusetts line to the Canadian border over many years by doing several dozen day hikes.

Alice’s long-awaited return to the Green Mountains led Al and Alice to build their retirement home fittingly named Awesome View on a scenic 35-acre parcel overlooking the mountains Alice cherished. The property was abounding in land to garden, woods to walk, and hills to cross country ski.  For years, Alice and Al hosted thru-hikers from the nearby Long Trail in need of overnight accommodations, and some guests of their “hikers’ hostel” became lifelong friends.  Alice shared her love of nature with family and friends and continued to hike mountains and explore the countryside throughout VT and neighboring states well into her eighties, enjoying scenic drives with Al to and from each end of the trail.  When her knee would no longer allow her beloved daily morning walk, the sun’s warmth and the beautiful mountain views that surrounded their home were a continual comfort.

Alice’s life was marked by great faith, strength, and support and love of family.  She will be greatly missed by her family and dear friends.  Her family would like to express sincerest thanks to her caregivers for the loving care she received at home in her final months.

Alice is survived by her sons Michael (Martha) of Broad Brook, CT, Jack (Mary) of South Windsor, CT and Tom of East Granby, CT, grandchildren Megan, Francesca, Michaela, Thomas, Joseph and Alana, and great-grandson Colter.  She is also survived by her sister Jane Towne and brother David Rooney both of Morrisville, VT, her brother-in-law Richard Ceppetelli of Ormond Beach, FL and many nieces and nephews both in CT and VT.  She was predeceased by her beloved husband Alfred Ceppetelli, her brothers Patrick Rooney and Thomas Rooney, and her sister Rose Davis.

Visitation will be held at 10 am on May 2 at Most Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church, 301 Brooklyn Street, Morrisville, VT followed by a Memorial Mass at 11 am.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Alice’s honor to the Green Mountain Club, 4711 Waterbury-Stowe Road, Waterbury Center, VT  05677.  For online condolences, please visit www.holcomb-desgrosseilliers.com.

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