Alice D. Pretto, 99, of Woonsocket died peacefully Monday at The Holiday in Manville. She was the loving wife of the late Francis T. Pretto. There were married in 1952 and shared over 50 years together until his passing in 2003.
Born and raised in Woonsocket she was a daughter of the late Alexandre and Georgianna (Dion) Blanchette. She was a resident of Woonsocket for most of her life. She also resided several years in Bellingham and enjoyed many winters in Florida
Alice was employed at Bonte Spinning Company and later worked at Hillsinger Corp. until her retirement. She was a longtime communicant of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Parish. She was a member of the Royal Travelers and the Red Hat Society while living at the Holiday.
Alice was a staunch member of Red Sox Nation. A die-hard fan for many of her 99 years she knew anything and everything about the team, its players and their stats and religiously followed their ups and downs over the decades. Alice was two years old when the Sox won the World Series in 1918 and she waited 86 years for them to finally do it again.
Family was most important to Alice. Alice and Francis were affectionately known to family as “Mo” and “Po”. Their home in Bellingham and their summer home in Buzzard’s Bay on Cape Cod were always open and welcoming for many memorable family gatherings.
She survived by her sister Florence Jalette and her husband, Robert, of North Smithfield. She was the sister of the late Raymond, Theodore, Aram “Mike”, Paul, Beatrice, Valentine and Blanche Blanchette, Delores Beaudet, Edna Boudreau, Doris Ethier, Sylvia Sutherland, Hilda Girard and Sr. Olive Blanchette, P.M. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Dolores “Dolly” Petit and her husband, Maurice, of Delaware and her Goddaughter and caregiver Gail T. Narodowy of North Smithfield. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews and their families.
Alice’s family is forever grateful for the excellent care she received while living at The Holiday.
Her funeral will be Saturday at 9:30 am from the Menard-Lacouture Funeral Home, 127 Carrington Ave. Woonsocket followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 am in Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church, Park Ave. Woonsocket. Burial will follow in Precious Blood Cemetery, Woonsocket. Visiting hours are Friday from 5-8 pm. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association RI Chapter 245 Waterman St. Suite 306 Providence, RI. 02906.
www.menardfuneralhome.com