MARY RITA (DETTORE) MARINELLI

103, of Providence, passed away on Sunday February 19, 2012. She was born in Galluccio, Caserta, Italy and came to the United States at age 2. She was the daughter of the late Antonio and Luisa (Masi) Dettore and the wife of the late Nicola E. (Nick) Marinelli. Mary is the beloved mother of Mary Gizzarelli of East Greenwich and Nicholas E. (Nick) Marinelli of Providence; the mother -in- law of Robert Gizzarelli; and the devoted grandmother of Claudia Ann Baaklini and her husband Dr. Michael Baaklini of Portsmouth.

She lived in Lawrence, Massachusetts until age 18 and then moved to Providence. In Lawrence, she was a yarn inspector for the Washington Mills. In Providence, she was well known for her many elegantly decorated multi-tiered wedding cakes separated by columns, one weighing 150 pounds and standing many feet tall. She was known also for her delicious Italian cookies, lamb cakes and Zuppa Inglese cakes. She gave trays of these delicacies to many friends and neighbors. She modeled for Peerless Department Store and appeared in several scenes in the movie, Mystic Pizza, starring Julia Roberts. She had a heart of gold aiding those who needed help and being the caregiver for many people in her family, never saying that she was too tired or too busy to help someone in need. She gave so much and asked for and expected nothing in return.

She was the sister of the late Leo, Pat and Raymond Dettore, Gemma Teoli, Ida Gravina and Carmela (Minnie) Miller.

Her funeral will be held on Saturday at 9:45 a.m. from the NARDOLILLO FUNERAL HOME & Crematory, 1278 Park Ave. Cranston, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Gregory the Great Church, 360 Cowesett Rd. Warwick at 11 a.m. Entombment will be in Our Risen Christ Garden Mausoleum at St. Ann Cemetery in Cranston. VISITING HOURS Friday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.