Patricia "Tish" Ann DiPrete Handy

56, of Cranston, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family on Monday, June 28, 2021. She is the beloved wife of Arthur Handy and doting mother of Alexander James Handy. Born in Providence, she is a daughter of Janice (Cambio) DiPrete and the late James DiPrete, Jr.

Besides her husband Arthur and son Alexander, she is survived by her dear siblings, Jacqueline Zannini and her husband Michael, Kenneth J. DiPrete, and Ronald DiPrete and his wife Martha; niece Mia James DiPrete; mother-in-law Dorothea Handy and brother-in-law Ben Handy. She was predeceased by her late sister-in-law Gail (Pagano) DiPrete.

She is remembered as a fierce defender of her family and friends always being first in line to speak up on their behalf. Most of all, she will be remembered as a dedicated and loving mother to Alex.

Similarly, Tish worked for much of her professional career as an advocate for the voiceless and to protect and educate us on our civil rights. She worked for environmental justice, reproductive rights and an end to racial profiling. As Policy Director at the Urban League of RI she was proud of her work in ensuring people’s right to vote was protected and in educating voters on their rights. Probably her biggest victory was passage of the Madeline Walker Act protecting many Rhode Islanders from the threat of losing their homes to tax lien sales. She believed that just because someone does not have anyone, does not mean they should not have anyone to speak up for them.

VISITING HOURS will be held in the NARDOLILLO FUNERAL HOME & Crematory, 1278 Park Ave., Cranston on Wednesday, July 7th from 5 - 7 pm. A private memorial service for family and close friends will be held at the Alpine Country Club 251 Pippin Orchard Rd, Cranston Thursday July 8th at 11:30 am.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Women’s Fund of RI, 133 Delaine Street, Providence, RI 02909 (www.wfri.org), OR The Economic Progress Institute, 600 Mount Pleasant Avenue, Building 9 (Guardo Hall), Providence, RI 02908 (www.economicprogressri.org).