Carmel L. Cady, 91, of Provincetown passed away Tuesday, March 6th at Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis. She was the wife of the late Stephen Cady.
Born on Federal Hill in Providence RI, she was the daughter of the late William and Palmina (Tortus) Zonfrillo. Her parents were hard-working Italian immigrants employed in Rhode Island’s weaving mills; her father, a loom mechanic and her mother, a weaver. Her father enjoyed taking the family on day trips to Provincetown. Carmel always remembered passing by Day’s Cottages and wanting to stay in the “Petunia!”
Carmel attended local schools where she would give piano recitals. She always said “That’s why my hands are so strong”. At the age of 19, she was awarded a full scholarship, in light of her artistic talent, to the Rhode Island School of Design. Carmel graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.
Carmel’s first job was at the Army Map Service. She worked with a bunch of fun-loving artist who would draw in an extra little mountain when bored. They all hung out at the Spaghetti House on Federal Hill. It’s there she met Steve Cady, a writer for the Providence Journal. They later married and had a daughter Stephanie. Steve got a job at the New York Times, so they moved to New Jersey. For the next 30 years she worked in the real estate field.
Upon retirement, they moved to Cape Cod where their daughter lived. They would watch the sunset every day and applaud it. When Steve died, Carmel moved to Provincetown and spent the last years of her life painting, writing, and enjoying the heartbeat and color of the town. She always said, “I’m a city girl!” It was here she wrote a few books including 'Love Affair with A Road – Route 6A' and 'The Rose Dorothea', which was inspired after viewing the ships’ replica in the Provincetown Library.
Daughter Stephanie Cady of Provincetown, as well as grandchildren Corina Russe of Provincetown, Joe Russe and wife Denni of Harwich, Angela Russe and her partner John Guzman of Eastham, along with 4 great-grandchildren survive her.
Family and friends are invited to call at the Gately Funeral Home, 94 Harry Kemp Way on Thursday, March 15th from 4:00 to 6:00 pm. Burial on Friday, March 16th will be private.
If desired, donations in Carmel’s name may be made to Helping Our Women, 34 Conwell St., Provincetown MA 02657.