Debra M. (Avarista) Gentile

70, of North Kingstown, passed away peacefully on October 22, 2025, surrounded by her loving family after a courageous battle with sarcoma. She was the wife to Joseph Gentile, Jr., with whom she shared a beautiful 46-year marriage that began with a high school friendship and grew into a lifetime of deep love, laughter, and unwavering devotion.

Born in Providence, she was the daughter of the late Mario and Florence Avarista. A graduate of Rhode Island College with a degree in social work, she worked in the field for several years before starting a career in sales, beginning at her father’s family business, Empire Furniture.

An entertainer at heart and a master in the kitchen, she loved hosting parties and cooking for a crowd. An avid concertgoer and music lover, she could tell you who sang any song on the radio and you’d always find music on in their home. Deb enjoyed traveling with Joe, especially to Europe – her friends and family have fond memories of their time spent in Italy. She loved her garden and was always taking care of her plants. Above all else, her family was the center of her universe.

Deb is survived by her loving husband Joe, and her two daughters, Liza Gentile and her partner Will Davidian and Kayla (Gentile) Kennedy, her husband Jeff and their daughter on the way. She also leaves behind two sisters Joyce Muir-Pastore and her husband Edmund Pastore, and Jean Avarista; sister-in-law, Stella Gentile; along with many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Visitation will be held on Monday, October 27 from 9:00am - 11:00am in the NARDOLILLO FUNERAL HOME & Crematory - SOUTH COUNTY CHAPEL, 1111 Boston Neck Rd, (Rt. 1A), Narragansett, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 12pm at Christ the King Church, 180 Old North Road, Kingston. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Deb’s memory to Massachusetts General Hospital, 125 Nashua Street, Suite 540, Boston, MA 02114 or at https://because.massgeneral.org/DebGentile; please designate all gifts to the Center for Sarcoma and Connective Tissue Oncology.