Dahlia L. (Fiore) Testa, 98, passed away peacefully on September 15, 2022. She was the wife of the late Alphonse R. Testa. Born in Burrillville, she was a daughter of the late Giovanni and Maria (Mollo) Fiore.
Dahlia was the loving mother of Maree A. O’Brien, Alphonse R. Testa, Jr (Karen), Jane A. Coyne (Robert), Donna J. Carnevale, and Patricia L. Mitchell (Jeremy); grandmother of 11, great-grandmother of 11 and great-great-grandmother of 3. She was the sister of the late Joseph, Roland, Constantino, Reynaldo, Alice and Sue Fiore, and Philomena Tanzi.
Dahlia was born on the 4th of July, 1924, in Burrillville, Rhode Island. Her family moved to the Federal Hill area of Providence shortly thereafter. She was a second-generation Italian American who was as equally proud of her heritage as she was of her patriotic birthday. As a child, she loved drawing and sketching and won a scholarship to the Rhode Island School of Design when she was 13. She loved sketching even into her later years, and happily spent time creating sketches and caricatures.
Dahlia met Alphonse Testa in 1941 and married him in 1946 at Holy Ghost Catholic Church on Federal Hill. She continued to live in Providence until 1957, when the family moved to Johnston. With the exception of a few years in North Providence, she remained a Johnston resident for the rest of her life.
Dahlia, also known as Dale, dedicated her life to the care of her husband, children, and grandchildren. She was an exceptional baker and cook, and her authentic Italian Christmas cookies were always something family and friends looked forward to. In her later years she spent time helping her daughter Donna at the Mezzanine Café in Warwick, where she enjoyed both cooking and socializing with café patrons.
Dahlia was a dedicated Christian and member of the Trinity Assembly of God church in Johnston. She was an active member of the church for many years and supported many of its ministries.
Visitation will be held Friday 10 a.m.-12 p.m. with a service to follow at 12 p.m. in the Russell J. Boyle & Son Funeral Home, 331 Smith Street, Providence. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, www.stjude.org/donate
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