Edwyna L. Lioce, 89, of Johnston, RI, passed away on June 2, 2024, surrounded by her family.
She loved music and animals, with a special affinity toward cats.
Her love of music brought her to singing in a barbershop chorus and she was one of the founding members of Harmony, Inc. She sang on the radio when she was in primary school and was First Violinist at her high school (Mt. Pleasant in Providence). One of her deservedly proudest moments was when she sang “Lida Rose / Will I Ever Tell You” onstage with the Buffalo Bills, the original quartet that sang the song in the film, “The Music Man.”
After leaving barbershopping, she went on to devote her time to loving and caring for her cats. She would volunteer by traveling around the state to trap-neuter-release feral cats (many of which she kept). She did everything she could to make sure they all enjoyed full, happy, and healthy lives.
She is predeceased by her parents, Francis J. and Laura E. Jabin (née Stayner); her son, Lee W. Saucier; her first husband, Leo J. Saucier; her second husband, Sabino “Sammy” Lioce; and her common law partner, Frank D. Paliotta.
She leaves behind her son, Jean H. Saucier; her daughter, Frances "Fran" L. Paliotta; and her “adopted” daughter, Erin L. Blackman.
Graveside services will be private.
In lieu of flowers; donations to Defenders of Animals, run by Dennis Tabella, would be tremendously appreciated:
Defenders of Animals