Vicki Paul VanZetta

Vicki Paul VanZetta, 52, caring wife, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend, passed away peacefully on January 10 at her home in Ringwood, NJ after a brave battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease).  She was surrounded by her husband, family and close friends.

Born May 3, 1970, from New Milford, NJ, Vicki was a kind and warm soul who made everyone feel like they were the most special person on earth.  Generous and thoughtful, beautiful inside and out, there’s nothing she wouldn’t do to help friends or family.

While attending New Milford High School, Vicki overcame cancer in her teens and was the star of her high school tennis team. She earned her degree in Recreational Therapy at Ithaca College and her master’s degree in Special Education.  In her professional life, for 30 years Vicki was dedicated to helping children with special needs, as an Early Intervention Specialist.  

In her personal life Vicki loved being with her husband, friends and family.  As an outdoor enthusiast, she spent her free time exploring the world through biking, hiking, kayaking, camping, and skiing.  You name it, Vicki did it.  Vicki also had an incredible sense of humor.  If you asked her, she would tell you she’s the funniest person she ever knew (and she’d be right!).  She just loved to laugh and joke and sing (usually Bruce Springsteen songs), and just enjoy life.  Vicki was an inspiration to everyone on how to live, love, and laugh. She left an imprint on everyone she touched, whether they met her for 5 minutes or knew her for 50 years.  She made everyone’s world a better place.

During her battle with ALS, Vicki was grateful to her devoted husband James who took care of her and stood by her 24/7.  She was so thankful to her huge circle of friends and loving family who were there to constantly lift her spirits, just as she had done for countless others throughout her life.  “Inspiration breeds inspiration and love breeds love.” She will be sorely missed by so many.

Vicki is survived by her husband James VanZetta, mother Joan Paul, brother Josh and his wife Melissa, sister Liz Branshaw and her husband Phil, nieces Carolina Paul Lastres, Sammi and Devorah Branshaw, many dear friends, and her beloved cats Bob and Marley.  She was preceded in death by her father, David Paul.

In lieu of flowers or other condolence items, donations in Vicki’s name can be made to The ALS Association (www.als.org) , Bridging Voice (www.bridgingvoice.org) or Hark-ALS (www.hark-als.org).