Despina (Paroulidis) Izzo

44, of Cranston, Rhode Island, passed away peacefully early Sunday morning. Her expansive heart, easy laughter, and beautiful smile will be missed by everyone blessed to know her. Despina was an amazing wife, daughter, sister, niece, aunt, and friend, and she had a way of immediately befriending nearly everyone she met.

Despina valued everyone, but her relationship with her husband, Matthew, was truly most precious to both of them. From almost the moment they met, Despina became a seamlessly and instantly loved member of the Izzo family. Despina and Matthew were partners and constant companions who shared their time generously with others but treasured spending time together more than doing almost anything else. During Despina’s two-and-a-half year battle with colon cancer, they became virtually inseparable, and they became such a beautiful testament to the unshakeable bond between husband and wife.

Despina was extremely devoted to her family and close friends.  When not with her beloved husband or extended family, Despina cherished time with her close-knit group of friends of over 20 years, whom she considered her sisters. More than anything, she was selfless, always putting others first and concerned with others' happiness. Even when she became sick, she always did her best to play hostess to all of her guests, making sure everyone was fed and walking people to the door to wish them a safe trip home.  Her kind attentiveness was not limited to humans, as Despina was also of the opinion that dogs are people too. She doted on her black Lab, Vince, and she believed no dog could have too many toys or too many kisses.

Despina moved to the US from Greece at age 4, and she grew up in Worcester, Massachusetts. Fluent in Greek, she was a highly intelligent and financially savvy individual. After graduating from Worcester State University with a degree in Business Administration, Despina embraced a successful career in commercial lending. With over 20 years’ experience in the banking industry, Despina was most recently Assistant Vice President of Commercial Lending at Pawtucket Credit Union. Prior to that, she was at Navigant Credit Union, having previously spent time working at Bridgewater Bank, Textron, and Citizens Bank. As in her personal life, Despina’s natural love of building lasting relationships enriched the experiences of her colleagues and clients.

Despina is survived by her beloved husband of ten years, Matthew J. Izzo, her devoted parents, Nickolaus T. and Maria Paroulidis of Worcester, Massachusetts, her loving brother, Theofanis Paroulidis and her niece and nephew, Lena and Nikolas Paroulidis of Sutton, Massachusetts. She also leaves many beloved aunts, uncles, and cousins, extended family and close friends both in the United States and in Greece.

Calling hours are at NARDOLILLO FUNERAL HOME & Crematory, 1278 Park Ave. in Cranston, Rhode Island on Thursday May 11, 2017 between 4pm and 8pm. All are invited to attend Despina’s service to be held on Friday, May 12 at 9:15am from the funeral home followed by funeral service at 10:30am in Church of the Annunciation, 175 Oaklawn Avenue, Cranston, Rhode Island. Burial will be at St. Ann’s Cemetery in Cranston, Rhode Island.

Donations can be made to the Despina Izzo Lifespan Cancer Institute Medication Assistance Fund in order to honor Despina’s memory by assisting cancer patients in need. Fund donations can be made online at https://giving.lifespan.org/Lifespan-Cancer-Institute-Donate