Shirley Anne (Catalano) Renzi

Shirley Anne (Catalano) Renzi of Johnston, RI, died on Sunday, April 5, 2026, in Newtown, Connecticut. 

She was the beloved wife of the late Joseph William Renzi. Born in Providence, she was the daughter of the late Gaetano and Josephine (Mancini) Catalano. 

Shirley was a 1953 graduate of Mount Pleasant High School and attended Johnson and Wales. She was a Blue Cross and Blue Shield employee for twenty-five years, working in data entry as a key punch operator and later as a Supervisor for eleven years. She retired in 1996. 

Shirley was a member of and volunteer at Johnston Senior Center for many years. She was a communicant of Our Lady of Grace Church. She was a sacristan, counted the offertory collection and worked at the feast for many years before moving to Connecticut. 

She will be remembered for her quick wit and sense of humor, always making people around her laugh, especially when they were not expecting it. 

Shirley resided at the Cascades at Stone Bridge in Newtown for the past three years. Her family would like to thank the entire staff and residents there for their care and friendship. 

Although living in Connecticut for the past 9 years, she reminded all that everything in Rhode Island was better. 

She leaves a son, Dr. Mark Renzi and daughter-in-law, Kristen, of Newtown, Connecticut. 

A dedicated and loving grandmother, Shirley leaves 7 grandchildren: Gaetano, Steven, Marina, Teah, and Samuel Renzi and Christopher and Matthew Angolano, who were in her own words “the lights of her life.” She also leaves several nieces and nephews. 

Shirley was also the mother of the late David Joseph Renzi and daughter-in-law, Angela Lorange. She was the sister of the late Florence D’Alessio and Saverio Catalano. 

A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Monday, April 13, 2026, at 11:00 am at Our Lady of Grace Church, 4 Lafayette St., Johnston, RI. Burial will follow in St. Ann Cemetery, 73 Church St., Cranston, RI. Relatives and friends are invited to attend.

Contributions to Our Lady of Grace Memorial Fund will be greatly appreciated, 4 Lafayette St., Johnston, RI 02919.

Please share memories and condolences at www.WoodlawnRI.com

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