CONSTANCE (GROSLOUIS) PETRARCA

Constance Petrarca, 100, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 7, 2025, surrounded by her loving children. Born in Woonsocket, RI, on June 28, 1925, she was predeceased by her husband, Adolph J. Petrarca in 2005. She was the daughter of the late Floriane (Beauregard) and Aime Groslouis. 

As a member of the graduating Class of 1943 at West Warwick High School, she told very few people that she graduated at the top of that class and was a member of the Rhode Island Honor Society. This came as no surprise to those of us who knew her because she was a perfectionist who insisted upon accuracy and order. She worked as a secretary for many years before she became a stay at home mom.

Constance was one of the dwindling members of The Greatest Generation and she exhibited the traits of honesty, hard work, integrity, selflessness, and strength that are common among those members. Constance was a consummate bargain hunter. Because of that, one of her favorite pastimes was shopping. She loved TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Job Lot, and every single dollar store. She often bought things that she did not even need if the price was right. She would then proceed to try to give those things away to family members who did not want or need them either. As a result, those items were stored away and became part of the “warehouse”, as her late husband called it. At some point in time, we would inevitably have a need for one of those items and, sure enough, Constance would immediately inventory the warehouse and find the very thing we were looking for. She was also extremely devoted to saying the Rosary, doing word search puzzles, and always remaining current with national and local news. 

Constance was the adored mother of State Representative Patricia Serpa (the late Joseph), Lester and Linda Petrarca, and Joanne and Robert Diggins. Her loving grandchildren are Domenic DiMasi, Lynne and Henry Ruelle, Salvatore and Tonia Petrarca, Madelyn and Philip Swanson, Regina Petrarca, and Jennifer and Matthew Sousa. Her great grandchildren were the ones who brought new joy to her life in her later years. They include Gabriele DiMasi, Torin Ruelle, and Hunter Swanson. We have truly lost the light of our lives.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday, September 11th from 4:00-7:00 PM, and a prayer service on Friday, September 12th at 10:00 AM at the IANNOTTI Funeral Home, 415 Washington Street, (Rte.117) Coventry, RI. Interment will be at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Exeter. In lieu of flowers, you may consider donations to Harmony Hospice, 931 Jefferson Blvd., STE 3004, Warwick, RI 02886, or at Harmonyhospiceri.com. Condolences may be offered on IannottiFH.com. 

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