Mary Loretta Proia

Born in Bridgewater, MA, she was a daughter of the late Vincenzo and Giuseppa (Lucchetti) Martino; foster daughter of the late Luigi and Erminia “Mary” (Patriarca) Venditti; beloved wife of 66 years to the late Livio Proia; devoted mother of Ann M. Proia, Robert J. Proia and his wife Kelli; cherished grandmother of Laura C. Cropper and her husband David, Melissa A. Howe and Amanda R. Proia; great-grandmother of Lila Ann Cropper; sister of John Martino and the late Anthony and Charles Martino, and Rose Ferrone.

Mary was the co-owner with her late husband Livio of the Pioneer Food Store on Admiral Street in Providence until 1969. She then worked for the Tikoian and Star Markets.

Visitation will be held Monday, 4-7 p.m. with a funeral service on Tuesday at 10 a.m. from the PONTARELLI-MARINO Home, 971 Branch Avenue, Providence. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. in St. Anthony Church, 1413 Mineral Spring Avenue, North Providence, followed by graveside burial in St. Ann Cemetery, Cranston. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Edward Food & Wellness Center, 997 Branch Avenue, Providence, RI 02904.