Arleen I. Petti

PETTI, Arleen I., (Demers), 95, of Petti Dr., West Warwick, passed away Saturday April 11, 2015 in her home.

She was the wife of the late Guido J. Pettinicchio.  Born in West Warwick, a daughter of the late Everett C. and Anne (Dennigan) Demers.  She was a lifelong resident of West Warwick.  

She is survived by seven children, Angela Salas, Donna Soares, Mark Petti, Deborah Casey, Michael Petti, Kim Petti and Susan Petti; fifteen grandchildren, six great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.  She was the sister of the late Barbara Champagne.

She was a graduate of St. James School, John F. Deering High School and Rhode Island College of Education where she earned a degree in teaching.  In her early years Arleen enjoyed working with her father in his grocery store where she acquired an entrepreneurial spirit which in later years she would impart to her children.  Upon graduation from college she worked for a brief period as a middle school teacher after which she stayed home to raise her seven children.  Following the death of her Mother, she began a twenty four year career in community social work initially with the Town of West Warwick and later with the State of RI where she focused on developing independence in her clients through finding gainful employment.

A renaissance woman she was an accomplished seamstress, water color artist, golfer, gardener and landscaper.  She had a passion for tending her many gardens and building stone walls used to terrace her hillside yard.

Following her retirement in 1983, she traveled, cared for her grandchildren and actively pursued management of her investments.  Shewas driven by the goal of building a portfolio of investments for her children.  She also was an active contributor to research conducted by the National Institutes of Health as a 20 year participant in theWomen’s Health Initiative, one of the largest and most successful public health prevention studies of it’s kind.

With all her life's accomplishments and diverse interests, the role of which Arleen was most fond was that of Mother and Grandmother.  She always credited her family as her greatest source of strength and profound joy!

Her funeral will be held Monday, April 20, 2015 at 9 am from the HENAULT – GALLOGLY Funeral Home, 5 Eddy St., West Warwick.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 am in Sacred Heart Church, 820 Providence Street, West Warwick.   Interment will follow in St. Mary Cemetery, West Warwick.  Visiting hours Sunday 3-6 pm.  In lieu of flowers, contributions to Crossroads RI, 160 Broad St., Providence, RI 02903 in her memory would be appreciated.  Information and condolences, please visit: www.henault-gallogly.com

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