Jeannette Francis (Buccella) Randolph

It is with deep sadness that we must tell our family and friends about the passing of Jeannette F. Randolph, age 97, on January 13, 2026. Jeannette was born Francesca Genesis Buccella on August 27, 1928 in Queens N.Y. When she entered elementary school, the teacher asked her 10-year-old sister; what she is called at home? And her sister replied “Jeanette”. So, Jeannette Francis was created. When she graduated elementary school and high school her name was Jeannette Francis Buccella. Jeannette went to Jamaica Vocational High School with a nursing concentration. It was advanced in this study. She learned how to care for patients and even how to count red blood cells. She graduated high school at 18 years old and nursed her mother for two years. Her mother died in her arms of a heart attack.

Nursing had to wait. She got a job at an insurance company. She started in the secretary pool. She was so good she was promoted to comptometer operator. A comptometer was a modern adding machine that did not require the operator to pull down a crank. It was finger powered. There was a code of finger presses for each number. For example, the number 3 was a certain hand position with 4 fingers used to press down twice. Each of the 10 digits had its own combination. She had to be fast. She was a comptometer operator for 9 years. She liked the company she worked for because they treated the employees well.

She left when she eloped with Bartho (Bart) Randolph. They were married on January 1, 1955 until his passing on July 27, 1985. She always wore her wedding ring. She has 3 surviving offspring: Victor Eicker, Len Randolph, and Peter Randolph. During their first 20 years of marriage, they had a sail and navy top business on Long Island. She sewed boat covers and raised a family. She was also active in the community, president of the PTA, Cub Scout Den mother and Girl Scout Leader.

She raised Peter Randolph as a single mother for many years after Bart's passing.

The family moved to Wolcott Vermont in 1972. She immediately became a library volunteer. She purchased books and helped organize the library.

In 1975 her dream of nursing finally came to fruition. She graduated from Fanny Allen as a Licensed Practical Nurse. She immediately went to work caring for the aged at the Dumont Nursing home on Harrel St. (Now the building is used for Mental Health.) The Dumont became Beverly. Mom went to the Manor Nursing home on Washington Highway (now the building is Copley House.) She and the staff moved the patients up the hill to the current Manor Nursing home location. She left on August 27, 2008 her 80th birthday after 35 years of caring and training others.

In 1996 she started volunteering at Copley Hospital, working at the front desk and in the hospital gift shop. She loved helping people; whether she was escorting them to a location or helping them find the perfect gift. She stopped in 2022 when the Gift Shop closed. She missed volunteering very much.

She was a Daughter of the Rebekahs and a member of the Charity Rebekah Lodge for 15 years.  The Rebekahs, also known as the International Association of Rebekah Assemblies (IARA) was founded as the female auxiliary of the International Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) in 1851 to help the widows and orphans. The Rebekahs promote values such as faithfulness, hospitality, and charity, drawing inspiration from notable women in Biblical history.  Their activities include charitable work, community service, and educational programs, all aimed at living by the Golden Rule:  "Do unto others as you would have them to unto you”. She loved her sister Rebekahs: Sally Ammons, Betty Blaisdale, Cindy Brown, Betty Couchaine, Dolly Cubit, and Vivian Norton. She was deeply saddened when the lodge closed.

She deeply respected Dr. Kiely. He was her rock. She was grateful to the nurses and staff at Tamarack Family Medicine for all the wonderful care they gave her.

Throughout her life her spiritual path was always her foundation. In the early 70s Virginia Miller would host Church and Bible study. Then for many years she was a member of the Stowe Community Church. Most recently Grace Bible in Moscow was her refuge. She loved going to church each week. She loved the people at Grace Bible. Paster Russ Rathier, Ellie Holt, TJ, Brent Miller and others. She was very consistent with her morning Bible reading and prayer. During her last months, prayer was on her lips often through the day.

She lived the Golden Rule and believed in the 1st Amendment. She was a living example of caring and kindness. She will be missed by many.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Grace Bible Church in Moscow Vermont in the spring.

If you would like to honor her memory with a gift, please send it to one of her favorite charities: the Disabled American Veterans, the Paralyzed Veterans of America, or the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

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