Elaine (Palumbo) Pagliarini

died on Mother’s Day, May 11th, 2025 at the age of 86. It was just two months after the love of her life, the late Richard “Dick” Pagliarini died. She was born on June 3, 1938 to Antonio Palumbo and Assunta Maria ‘Susie’ Scipione Palumbo. She was the sixth child out of eight, four boys and four girls. She married her high school sweetheart Dick on November 8th, 1958. They were married for 67 years.

During their courtship, Elaine and Dick spent much of their time bowling in local Cranston leagues and square dancing with the “Hilltoppers” and the “Carousels.” However, their strongest bond was their love of cooking and family. Elaine had three children, Joseph, Beth, and Amy, all named after characters in her favorite book, ‘Little Women.’ She was an avid reader, enjoying a range of books from ‘Dune’ to ‘Pride and ‘Prejudice’. Elaine treasured the many summers spent with her family on the beaches of Point Judith. There she would go clamming, collect seashells, eat lobster, and humbly lose at the family card game, ‘Pounce.’

Elaine enjoyed hosting gatherings for her family and friends at her house. Her floorboards were pristine, and cleaned so often that her children claimed you could eat off the floor. She was famous for the numerous plates of food she placed in front of her grandchildren, particularly pastina and a “Grandmama Special” sandwich. Elaine was a talented baker who contributed cream puffs, chocolate chip cookies, apple pies, and the famous Aunt Santina cookies, to family functions. She loved spending time in her garden, where she turned tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplant, peppers and zucchini into delicious meals.

Elaine was also a talented seamstress. She was employed with a costume company for many years where she designed and sewed costumes for dance schools. Every October, she made Halloween costumes for her children and grandchildren. She often spent her final days browsing coffee table books and admiring fashion styles, interior design and landscapes. The colors of the world, especially a remarkable sunset, brought her such joy.

Elaine is survived by her late husband, Richard “Dick” Pagliarini, her late son Joseph Pagliarini and late daughter-in-law Elisa Pagliarini, her daughter Beth Carroccia and late son-in-law Rick Carroccia, her daughter Amy and Owen Blanco, her late brother Tony Palumbo, her sister Marie McLane, her late sister Margie Smith, her late brother Jimmy Palumbo, her brother Eddie Palumbo, her late brother Frank Palumbo, her sister Paula Simoneau, and her grandchildren, the late Victoria, Christopher, Richard, Lauren, Thomas, Alexandra, Adam, Ross, Sofia, and Caleb. She has 14 great-grandchildren. There will be a Celebration of Life for Elaine and Richard held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hope Health Hospice and Palliative Care RI, 1085 North Main St., Providence, RI 02904.