Teresa R. Ferdinandi, RN

98, a longtime resident of Cranston, RI, passed away on March 16, 2022. She was born August 7, 1923, to the late Pasquale and Filomena Carnevale.

Teresa was a registered nurse at St. Joseph's Hospital for almost 40 years, starting in the nursery and working her way up to becoming a hospital administrator until her retirement in 1985. She remained active in the community as a member of the St. Joseph's School of Nursing Alumni Association and the VFW Ladies Auxiliary Group, an officer of The Regina Coeli, a trustee of the Ladies Auxiliary of the St. Mary's Feast Society and a President of the Cranston Senior Services Advisory Board.

Teresa was an avid poker player and enjoyed getting together with her friends to play on Friday afternoons. A fashion enthusiast, she was always sure to be dressed in her most snazzy attire, regardless of the occasion. Teresa also enjoyed traveling, going to the casino, and most importantly spending time with her family. She was a phenomenal woman who lived an amazing life and made a lasting impression on everyone she met.

Teresa was predeceased in 1995 by her beloved husband Vincent Ferdinandi to whom she had been married for 46 years. Of all her accomplishments, Teresa was most proud of her four children. She is survived by V. Michael Ferdinandi and his wife Lucille of Cranston, RI and Palm Beach Gardens, FL, Steven Ferdinandi and his wife Sherry of Cranston, RI, Joanne Cathcart and her husband Jeffrey of Scituate, RI, and Rosemarie Hevner and her husband Thomas of Lincoln, RI. Teresa was blessed to have eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren whom she adored. She was the sister of the late Lillian C. Wright and Albert Carnevale. In her memory, we ask that you take some time this week to enjoy “Coffee and", one of Teresa's favorite pastimes, and be sure to put a little Sweet'N Low in your coffee.

Her funeral will be held from the NARDOLILLO FUNERAL HOME & Crematory, 1278 Park Avenue, Cranston on Wednesday, March 23rd, at 10 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Mary’s Church, Cranston at 11 a.m. Visiting hours are on Wednesday MORNING from 9-10 a.m.  Entombment will take place in St. Ann Cemetery, Our Risen Christ Garden Mausoleum.

TRIBUTE TO TERESA FERDINANDI By Her Granddaughter Erica Laros Written on Behalf of Her Loving Grandchildren

Teresa Carnevale Ferdinandi was a purpose-driven leader, caring healer, and family matriarch for nearly a century. She was born in the summer of 1923 to two Italian immigrants from Pico. She was the eldest daughter of three, and a child with a thirst for knowledge. When she was young, Teresa would walk from home with her smaller sister and brother to consult the encyclopedias at Olneyville Library and find answers to her many curiosities. From a window on Prudence Avenue, she watched her cousin leave the house across the street each morning in a crisply starched nurse's uniform. She knew from that moment that she would be the woman in that uniform.

Teresa's mother removed her from school at age 16 to work in a jewelry factory in Providence. Dismayed, but not disillusioned, Teresa would stop at nothing to continue her education. She attended night school at Classical High after work each day to finish her high school diploma. It took her four years to finish two years of coursework because she had to work nights, but she never lost faith.

When she was 20, she approached St. Joseph's School of Nursing and inquired about acceptance. Teresa did not have the proper credits, but she was so determined that the headmaster sent her to a local order of nuns who were willing to train her at night to finish the required courses. She finished in the summer and then when she went to sign up for the entrance exam, the headmaster told her it was already given, and they already had the beginning students.

Teresa would never give up. She asked the headmaster if there any other way she could take the exam. The woman replied that she could travel to Boston and take it at the Omni Parker House. Teresa had never been outside Rhode Island before and had no car. But she found a bus route and took a bus, followed walking directions from her fiancée, Vincent, to find the testing location on Tremont Street, steps away from where several of her grandchildren would later attend university. She passed the exam with flying colors and was admitted to the school. She lived at St. Joseph's School on Broad St. for 3 years and graduated in 1946 at the top of her class. She worked nights and went on to become a hospital administrator for St. Joseph's Hospital. Teresa reached her dream despite the significant institutional prejudice and economic hardship of her time. She is a true inspiration and pioneer of women's rights. Teresa's fiancée, Vincent Ferdinandi, became her husband with whom she shared many happy years and together they grew a family of four children, V. Michael Ferdinandi, Steven Ferdinandi, Joanne Cathcart, and Rosemarie Hevner, 8 grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren. Her husband Vincent predeceased her and is waiting for her in Heaven.