Mary Caporelli

Mary Alice (Dwyer) Caporelli took her place among the stars on December 14th, brightening the night sky with the laughter, generous spirit, and kindness she shared throughout her life.

Born in Providence to Margaret (Harrington) and Francis Dwyer, on May 25th, 1929, she lived in North Providence for many years, returning to Narragansett to be close to family and the beaches that she loved. She was quick to laugh, thoughtful, and made you feel like you were the most important person in the room. Her brilliant mind was only enhanced by her gentle spirit.

Always striving to be the best daughter, sister, wife, mother, Nana, educator, neighbor, and friend, Mary was always welcoming, warm, kind, quick to forgive, and grateful for her many blessings. She celebrated and valued her relationships, was always curious, loved learning new things, and was always open to new experiences. Backpacking through Europe after retirement, hiking in Iceland or the hills of Cinque Terre, and zip-lining in the Smoky Mountains at eight-five were only topped by canoeing to her surprise ninetieth birthday party. Rarely seen without a book, she was an avid gardener, skilled knitter and seamstress, loved the beach and to sail, swim, sing, walk the woods of New Hampshire and beaches of Florida, and travel. Her travel stories were always entertaining, filled with uncanny coincidences and interesting characters. She made fast friends wherever she went and remembered them in big and small ways; a thoughtful gift, a casual note, an open invitation.

And though Mary lived fully in the world, nothing made her happier than time with her family. Being a mom, and then Nana to her grandchildren, gave her great joy and she found ways to introduce a world of opportunity and experiences to them, encouraging them to seek adventure and find joy. From local galleries to Radio City, museums to sporting events, gymnastics to piano class, flying kites on a windy beach to walks on a snowy day all were incorporated seamlessly into the world that she created and encouraged. Mary made every milestone a special event and a typical dinner a cause for celebration. She opened the door to anyone needing a meal, a place to stay, or a shoulder to lean on. And there was always enough, no matter how many showed up, as she would just “put another potato in the pot”. Her generosity was authentic, effortless, and limitless, sometimes followed by a note thanking others for their time, and has left a legacy that lives on in all touched by her open heart.

Mary lived a life of service, always available for Blessed Sacrament School and volunteering at the St. Patrick’s Soup Kitchen for many years. She modeled her strong work ethic, working as a teacher in Providence and later in North Providence, and shared stories of her early work-life at the Weybosset Market and at Scarborough Beach, where she met and later married a handsome lifeguard. Mary retired from the Community College of Rhode Island after years of sending nurses out into the world of work with confidence and courage.

A graduate of Rhode Island College, Class of 1950, she was proud of the lifelong friends made there, as well as those forged as new teachers within the Providence Schools. She was a past president and member of the Sundial Garden Club, member of the RIC Alumni Association, CCRI Faculty Association, and the Newport Creamery Half-Gallon Club.

Mary is survived by her children, Michael (Carol), Mary, Patricia, Angela, Joseph, John (Meredith), and Elizabeth (Paul), her beloved grandchildren; Joseph, Bethy, Benjamin, Torrey, Tessa, Nicholas, and Julia; her siblings; Peggy Morrow, Francis Dwyer (Emmy), and Barbara A. Dwyer (Jack Quigley), as well as many nieces, nephews, neighbors and dear friends. She was predeceased by her husband of 60 years, Ettore “Cappy” Caporelli, her daughter, Janie Caporelli, and her sisters, Jane Benz and Kathleen Dwyer.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, December 19 at 11:00 am in St Thomas More Church, 53 Rockland St, Narragansett. Visitation will be held on Monday, December 18, 2023, from 5-7 pm in the Avery Storti Funeral Home, 88 Columbia St, Wakefield.

Mary was loved by so many and her knowing smile, infectious laugh, and gentle spirit will be forever in our hearts. In her memory, be adventurous and curious, and most importantly, be kind. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the Hope Alzheimer’s Center 25 Brayton Ave, Cranston, RI 02920.