Joanne Malagrino passed away on August 18, 2026, after a long, difficult battle with cancer.

She was born on October 30, 1957, to Donald and Mona (Fredericks) Gagnon.

Joanne graduated from Tupper Lake High School in 1975. She attended the State University of New York at Cortland, graduating with a degree in Health Sciences in 1979.

She moved to Rhode Island in 1981 to pursue her Master's degree at the University of Rhode Island.

In September of 1988, she was hired as Coordinator of R.I. Programs at Spurwink School. In 2001, she was promoted to Assistant Executive Director of Spurwink School in Lincoln, Rhode Island. Spurwink School offers integrated academic and therapeutic services to individuals with emotional and behavioral challenges. Joanne loved her work and worked until her health declined.

She was predeceased by her mother in 1979 and her husband, Leonard "Lenny" Malagrino, in 2002.

She is survived by her father, Donald; stepmother, Edie; sisters, Wendy (Gagnon) Taylor and Suzanne (Gagnon) Kunath; brothers, Stephen (Monica) and John (Sandy) Gagnon; stepchildren, Stacy, Dillon and Erik; three grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and multiple nieces and nephews who all deeply loved her.

Joanne was passionate about her friends and family. She loved to ski, travel, dance and belonged to a jazz ensemble/dance troupe in Narragansett, Rhode Island. She loved art, swimming and entertaining. She knew how to throw a great "Eastah" celebration.

Though her time with us has passed, her selfless nature and generous heart remain an enduring gift to everyone blessed to know her. Her quiet strength and compassion will live on through the family and friends she cherished and the many lives she lifted along the way.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Spurwink School, 935 Park Avenue, #214
Cranston, RI 02910 or to Women & Infants Oncology Foundation, 200 Butler Avenue
Providence, RI 02906.