VINCENZA "GINGER" (SIMONELLI) DE PASTINA

Vincenza "Ginger" (Simonelli) DePastina 83, of Molloy Street, Providence, peacefully entered into eternal rest on Thursday, January 3, 2008 at the Jane Brown Unit of Rhode Island Hospital surrounded by her loving family, after a courageous battle with illness. She was the beloved wife of the late Edward T. DePastina, Sr. for sixty years. Born in Providence and a lifelong resident of that city, she was a daughter of the late Raffaele and Maria-Civita (Agresti) Simonelli. Besides her late husband, she was the devoted loving mother of Edward T. DePastina, Jr. and his wife Claudia E. DePastina of Smithfield. She was the dear sister of Angelina Avarista of Johnston and her late husband, Joseph, Anna Verino of Providence and her late husband, Joseph, Hilda Chiaverini and her husband Bernard of Cranston, and Anthony "Sonny" Simonelli and his wife Barbara of Cranston. Mrs. DePastina was preceded in death by her brother Alfred Simonelli. She also leaves two dear sisters-in-law, Anna Simonelli of Smithfield, and Gloria Stafford and her husband Burton of Greensboro, NC. Ginger was the aunt of seven nieces, five nephews, eight great nephews and four great nieces. Ginger is also survived by her extended family, Joseph and Jill Spirito and their three children whom she truly loved, adored and admired. Ginger and her late husband were the proprietors of the former Supreme Bakery, Chalkstone Avenue, Providence for many years, which they were forced to close due to a fire. She and her husband, along with her son and daughter-in-law, were also the owner/operators of the former Edwards Pastry Shoppe in North Providence. She was also employed at the former, Gladding's in downtown Providence, continuing on to employment at Shepard's, also in downtown Providence. Upon their closing, Ginger went on to a fifteen year career in the Accounting Department of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Rhode Island. She was a communicant of Blessed Sacrament Church in Providence. Ginger's greatest source of joy was spending time with her family; nothing made her happier. She enjoyed traveling, crossword puzzles and trivia, reading and crocheting and passing the time at occasional excursions to Foxwoods and Twin Rivers. Despite her illness, she continued to maintain a very active lifestyle; she remained a gentle spirit and touched the lives of all those she met. We will all deeply miss her for her warmth, affection, kindness and the unending love and devotion she had for her entire family and friends. Funeral from the NARDOLILLO FUNERAL HOME, 1278 Park Avenue, Cranston on Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am in Blessed Sacrament Church, 179 Academy Avenue, Providence. Burial will be in St. Ann's Cemetery, Cranston. VISITING HOURS Tuesday morning 8:00- 9:00 a.m . In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Ginger's name may be made to: LaSalle Academy Scholarship Fund, 612 Academy Avenue, Providence, RI 02908. www.turnto10.com

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