Mary Pauline Capobianco

Mary Pauline Capobianco, affectionately known as Pauline, was born on March 31, 1939, in Providence, Rhode Island, to William S. Ellis and Mary Margaret Ratigan. She was the oldest of four sisters — Jeanne, Kathleen, and Helene — and was raised in a close-knit Catholic family rooted in love, humility, and service.

She attended Saint Paul’s Church in Cranston and graduated from Cranston High School. Her father was Commodore of the Edgewood Yacht Club, where Pauline and her sisters became accomplished young sailors. Fiercely known as “The Ellis Sisters,” they raced Beetle Cat boats and were a force on the water. Pauline’s leadership, deep faith, and competitive spirit were evident from an early age and remained the foundation of her life.

Pauline earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Bridgeport and a Master’s degree plus 60 credits in Guidance and Counseling from Michigan State University — the equivalent of PhD status in education. She began her teaching career as a professor at the University of Rhode Island, where she founded the women’s sailing team and led them to become the number-one ranked team in the country.

She went on to serve as a beloved high school educator for over 35 years, known affectionately by generations of students as Mrs. C or Mrs. Cap. She also coached high school swimming and girls’ soccer — leading her team to become the number-one girls’ soccer team in New York State for four consecutive years.

Pauline was instrumental in the nationwide Special Olympics movement, serving as Director of Special Olympics New York State for over two and a half decades. She taught her children the importance of volunteering, helping others, and living with compassion — values they carry with them every day.

She was the epitome of class, positivity, and quiet strength — a woman of deep Catholic faith and proud New England and Irish roots. She traveled often to Ireland and Italy, but her greatest joy was being on the water. Her love of the ocean was infectious and lifelong. She loved the beach, her family, and taking care of everyone around her. She had no airs about her — only warm generosity, a genuine heart, and a welcoming spirit that made everyone feel at home. And no matter where she was, she always ordered a cold Chardonnay at every meal.

To know her was to love her — and to be loved by her was the greatest gift of all. Her positivity and enthusiasm for life left a lasting impression on all who knew her.

Pauline is survived by her beloved husband, Carl Joseph Capobianco, and their three children: Carlene, married to Michael Messinger; Elizabeth, married to Dennis Tally; and Jon Capobianco with significant other Ali Glestein. She was the proud grandmother of Rebecca, Julia, Victoria, Daniel, Christopher, Ava, and Jon Rocco.

She is also survived by her sisters Jeanne O’Leary and Kathleen, recently married to Dave Pearson. She was predeceased by her sister Helene and brother-in-law Frank Wilson, and by her brother-in-law Jim O’Leary.

Pauline’s legacy lives on through her family, her students, her athletes, and all those whose lives were changed by her love, leadership, and unwavering devotion to others.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 7th from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at Avery-Storti Funeral Home in Wakefield, Rhode Island. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, August 8th at 10:00 AM at St. Mary’s Star of the Sea Church in Point Judith, Rhode Island. Burial will follow at Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Exeter.