Jane G, ((Palazzo)) Petrarca

PETRARCA, Jane G. (Palazzo)

Our beloved mother, age 94, entered eternal life on May 28, 2021 after a 16-month illness.  She passed away at her daughter’s North Smithfield home. Formerly of West Warwick, Providence, and Cranston she was the widow of Salvatore F. Petrarca who passed away in 1968 when he was 41 years old. She leaves behind her two daughters, Donna L. (Petrarca) Scalzi of North Smithfield and MaryEllen Petrarca of North Providence.  She also leaves behind her son-in-law, Michael M. Scalzi III. She loved and cherished them with her whole heart.

She was the youngest child of the late Amelia (Gallucci) and Antonio Palazzo of West Warwick. She was the sister of the late Pasco Palazzo, Vivian and Madeline Palazzo (whom she took care of for nine years prior to their passing), and the late Marion Palazzo who passed away at age 12. Jane’s given birth name was “Gioconda”.  Her father, a well-known singer (tenor) at the time, named her after the famous 1876 Italian Opera, “La Gioconda”. The opera’s title translates as “The Happy Woman”.   Our mother wished her name had been legally changed to “Joy” rather than “Jane”. “Joy” would have been the perfect name for her because anyone who truly knew her can attest that she was pure joy. 

God blessed us with a wonderful mother. She had a smile made of sunshine and a heart made of gold.  Her hands were soft as silk, her eyes as bright as stars. It was her unconditional love that helped us grow feeling safe, happy and proud. She sacrificed much and there were times she did without. Undeniably, an angel lived among us. Through God’s grace and her own faith, she overcame many sorrows and difficulties during her lifetime.

After the death of her husband, she worked at Roger Williams Hospital and raised her two young daughters entirely on her own. She retired from the hospital’s Coronary Care Unit in 1992.  She leaves us with many precious memories and she will live on in the hearts of those she touched.  She will be greatly missed. 

Her funeral will be held from the Woodlawn Funeral Home, 600 Pontiac Avenue, Cranston, RI.  At our mother’s request, visiting hours are respectfully omitted. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Immaculate Conception Church, 237 Garden Hills Drive, Cranston, RI on Wednesday June 2, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. Family and friends are invited to attend.  Burial at St. Ann’s Cemetery in Cranston will be private.  Please omit flowers.  One of the places our mother loved visiting while living in North Smithfield was the Shrine of the Little Flower dedicated to St. Theresa in Nasonville, RI.  Donations in her name can be made to St. Theresa’s Shrine, 35 Dion Drive, Nasonville, RI 02830.  Please share memories and condolences at WoodlawnGattone.com