Thelma J. (Sbardello) Corrente

Born June 15, 1930, in Providence, died peacefully surrounded by loved ones on Saturday, February 18 at the age of 92.  She was the daughter of the late Rose (Campagnone) and Carlo Sbardello of Providence. She will be deeply missed by her husband, Frank E. Corrente of Cranston, to whom she was a loving and devoted wife for nearly 70 years.

Thelma earned a B.S. in Nursing from Salve Regina College, a Master in Health Education from Rhode Island College, and a Lifetime Certificate in Administration from Providence College. Thelma viewed her work as a nurse as a calling and began her career at Roger Williams Hospital, but her love of children led her to become a beloved School Nurse Teacher in the Providence School Department in 1976. In addition, Thelma served from 1993 until her retirement in 2003 as the Providence School Department Health Administrator. She was particularly proud of her work as a substance abuse counselor for children in kindergarten through 12th grade and her service on numerous Boards and Commissions, including the State Medical Review Board.  Two of her proudest accomplishments were her roles in forming the “Draw A Breath Program” which allowed asthmatic children to carry their own inhalers in school and “Christine’s Smile” which provided a mobile dental unit to service the City’s neediest neighborhoods. After her retirement, she served as a substitute nurse and teacher well into her 80s and continued to touch the lives of thousands of Providence schoolchildren.

A devout Catholic, Thelma was a longtime parishioner at St. Augustine Church in Providence where she raised her family. She especially loved attending Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. She remained an active member of the parish well after moving to Cranston over twenty years ago.

Thelma was a talented cook and her eggplant parmesan and stuffed artichokes were legendary. She especially loved to cook for the holidays and was happiest surrounded by her family at a table overflowing with food. As well as her love for cooking for her family, Thelma was a fixture at the St. Edward Food Bank where she happily served countless meals to the homeless over the years. Thelma was always dressed impeccably and loved shopping trips to New York City especially during the Christmas season with her children and grandchildren. A trip was never complete without seeing the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall, buying roasted chestnuts from street vendors and skating at Rockefeller Center.

Above all, Thelma cherished her role as a wife, mother and grandmother. She was a loving mother to her daughter Colleen Corrente and her husband Jack Hanley of Delray Beach, Florida, her son Darren and his wife Christen (Coia) Corrente of Rumford, RI, and a proud and doting grandmother known as “Goma” to Catherine Corrente of New York City and Nicholas Corrente of San Francisco.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held on February 24th at St. Augustine Church.  Donations in her memory may be made to the St. Edward Food and Wellness Center, 1001 Branch Avenue, Providence, RI  02904. Flowers are kindly omitted.