Obituary of Vickie Lee Penberthy
Vickie Lee Ventimiglia was born on December 4, 1958 in Roseville, Michigan. She was one of five children born from the union of the late Giacomo Luigi “Jack” and Shirley Lee (Dalton) Ventimiglia. As a teen the family moved to Northern Michigan where she would finish her schooling graduating in 1977 from Mio-AuSable High School.
It was in high school that she met Kenneth John Penberthy II. The couple would wed after graduation and would be blessed with three children. Vickie was an amazing cook, and her Italian heritage was often at the center of her dishes. She enjoyed crafts, sewing, crocheting, and painting; recently picking the hobby back up. Many of her homemade quilts became treasured gifts of family. Vickie enjoyed reading various books, with Helen Heart being her favorite series.
For most of her adult life, Vickie, was employed in management in the fast-food industry. She was a gypsy of sorts. Often moving for work, mostly for Burger King and McDonalds, Vickie would act as a fixer traveling from restaurant to restaurant sorting through their financial woes and helping get them back on track. She loved the excitement of new places. Vickie most recently took a position with the Chrysler Corporation at the Toledo Jeep Plant. She was employed in assembly for five years until taking a medical retirement in 2019.
Vickie enjoyed traveling for pleasure as well. Visits to England, a cruise to Cozumel, and frequent trips to Florida with the beaches of Sarasota and Key West were preferred destinations.
Diagnosed with cancer, Vickie, was given a bleak prognosis of six months to live but being a fighter, she bravely continued for two years. She proudly watched her grandson graduate, traveled to Tennessee to watch her daughter, Angel, get married, and her most recent goal was to see Christmas.
Vickie Lee Penberthy, age 62, of Newport passed away at home under the care of ProMedica Monroe Hospice on Christmas Eve; Thursday, December 24, 2020. In addition to her parents her passing was preceded by her grandparents and a brother: Peter Ventimiglia.
To cherish her memory, she leaves three children: Kenneth John (Nicole) Penberthy III, Angel (David) Haislip of Taylor; and Christina Penberthy of Newport; two brothers: Jack Ventimiglia and Jody (Heather) Ventimiglia; one sister: Tammy (Gary) Leaf; and eleven grandchildren, including: Brianna and Aaron Butler, Justin, Meadow, Josh, and Jaxson Haislip.
No public services are planned. Merkle Funeral Service, North Monroe; 2442 North Monroe Street, Monroe, Michigan 48162 (734) 384-5185 has been entrusted with her arrangements.
Online guests may visit www.merklefs.com.