Tonia Teresa Healey

age 84, of Narragansett, RI passed away at South Kingstown Nursing and Rehabilitation in West Kingston, RI, on Thursday, September 26, 2024, after a long illness. She was previously cared for at home for many years. Tonia was born April 27, 1940, at Fort Benning in Chattahoochee, Georgia to then Captain John J. Pelosi, M.C. and Helen (Dunbar) Pelosi.  

In 1965, she married the late John B. Healey from Pawtucket RI. Tonia is survived by her spouse of 36 years, Joyce E Hickey, PhD, her sons Joseph P. Healey (and spouse Elaine Thomas) of New York, and David S. Healey of Rhode Island; grandchildren Morgan, (NY), Joey, (NY), Ingram and Romy (both of Barrington, RI,), by her siblings; Donna Lumsden of Nevada, John Pelosi (and spouse Maureen) of Maryland, Monica Barnes (and Karen Bachus) of Warwick, RI; and the family dog Bailey. 

Tonia traveled as a child because of her father’s Army service and was educated in elementary schools in Japan by French nuns. She attended high school at Stuttgart in Germany. When the family returned to the states, they frequented Staten Island and Rhode Island. 

Tonia lived in Paris, France when her husband was studying there. She graduated from Pawtucket Memorial Hospital Nursing School with a diploma of nursing (1963). Tonia later graduated from Brown University, class of 1980, with honors and a B.A. concentration in literature and psychology: Poetry as a Therapeutic Process.

Tonia’s most meaningful role in her life was caring for her two sons as a single mother. She was devoted to them and their families throughout her life. Tonia was a gently strong and kind person who endured a traumatic event earlier in her life. 

In May of 1986 she was certified as the first Poetry Therapist in Rhode Island by the National Association for Poetry Therapy (NY). Her poetry has been published by Brown University in Issues Magazine and in a Florida Atlantic University publication. Tonia worked as a registered nurse at Pawtucket Memorial Hospital, Ladd School, Mass General, Institute of Mental Health, Rhode Island Hospital, Southcoast Hospital and the Visiting Nurses of Falmouth, MA. 

After many decades in Warwick, RI she moved to Onset, MA. She was active in the Onset Bay Associations revitalization and received state and local recognition for the work of the Beautification Committee. Tonia was known in the village as “good people”. She restored an 1892 Victorian House and received the Wareham Historical Association Award of Distinguished Achievement for restoration of the Clarissa Chase House.

Tonia returned to Rhode Island in 2004 and later served on the Board of South Shore Mental Health Center, Charlestown, RI. In 2016 a Brown University Contemplative Studies Initiative was sponsored in her honor. In her later years she compiled and published the poetry writings made throughout her life resulting in three books: Sand Stone (2015), Ripples in the Sand (2019) and Words While We Walk Together (2023). 

Tonia enjoyed reading, writing poetry, the arts, music, boating, the ocean, lobstering, quahogging, her grandchildren and maintaining contact with lifelong friends.

Her funeral will be held on Friday, October 4, 2024 at 9:45am from the NARDOLILLO FUNERAL HOME & Crematory - SOUTH COUNTY CHAPEL, 1111 Boston Neck Road, (Rt. 1A), Narragansett followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11am in St. Veronica Chapel, 1035 Boston Neck Road, Narragansett. VISITING HOURS Thursday from 2-6pm.

 Donations can be made to South Kingstown Nursing & Rehab for activities at 2115 South County Trail, West Kingstown, RI 02892.