Barbara Ann (Caputo) Voccola

Barbara Ann Voccola (Caputo) 87, passed away Tuesday February 4, 2020 at Miriam Hospital.  Born in Providence, she was a daughter of the late Edward and Helen (Turchetti) Caputo and the sister of Thomas Caputo and the late Arlene Brosco. Barbara leaves her five children, who’s father was the late Edward E. Voccola. They are Edward Voccola, Patricia Voccola Forte, Paul Voccola and Barbara Voccola and was the mother of the late Stephen Voccola.  She was the mother-in-law of Rebecca Voccola. She also leaves nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Barbara was a loving and devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

The gift of gab is what Barbara Voccola had. She grew up in Silver Lake section of Providence.  As a child she would attend her fathers musical concerts, recanting her memories by saying “my brother and I would carry the bass for my father wherever he went”. When he had concerts at the Rhodes on the Pawtuxet she would sit with her siblings on the balcony and watch from above her father play the bass. Her father played bass for many years in the Rhode Island Philharmonic. This instilled a life long love for music and ballroom dancing.  She learned to dance in school.  Once she graduated from Mount Pleasant High School , class of June 1949, she became a waitress in her father’s restaurant, Eddie and Sons Diner, downtown Providence.   She loved being active and talking to people. She often spoke to complete strangers striking up a conversation about an article of clothing they were wearing or a particular hair style. Socialization came naturally to her.  She danced all her life even up to the day before her passing. 

Once married she and Edward Voccola soon moved to Cranston and raised five children in their home. She lived in that home for 66 years and was still living there up to her passing. She and Edward were one of the founding members of the Alpine Country Club, where she played in the standard Thursdays ladies league golf tournaments.  She had accomplished children, all of which she was very proud of.  Accomplished in business, in their academic and career success. She was a benefactor of the Immaculate Conception Church, providing a contribution to break ground and build a neighborhood parish. 

She was proud of her figure and prided herself on being a fashionista. She was a true lady; there wasn’t a day that didn’t go by that she hadn’t worn a skirt. Perfectly put together she would always top her outfit off with a scarf. She had a standard twice a week hair appointment and found devoted hair dressers ready and willing to accommodate her first appointment in the am request. 

Barbara was also a driven person.  Strong willed, feisty at times, but when she put her mind to it she could accomplish anything.  She had the gift of gab and the will to succeed. 

Her funeral and VISITATION will be held Friday morning from 8:30-10:30 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. in St. Mary Church. Entombment will follow in Our Risen Christ Mausoleum, St. Ann Cemetery, Cranston. Please share memories at WoodlawnGattone.com