Edith Iafrate

Part of the greatest generation, Edith Iafrate, 97, of North Providence, passed away peacefully surrounded by the love of her family at home on Thursday, November 7, 2019 after a brief illness. She was the beloved wife of the late Frank J. Iafrate. Born in Providence, she was the daughter of the late Guiseppe and Francesca (Caldarone) Marcello, and the loving mother of the late Raymond J.Iafrate.

Family was the most important thing for Edith. She loved being with her beloved children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She is survived by her son, Stephen F. Iafrate and his wife Nancy, her daughter, Patricia Iafrate Bellini and her husband, Dante, her daughter-in-law, Catherine Iafrate DiChiaro and her husband William.  She is also survived by her adoring grandchildren, Gregory R. Iafrate and his wife Carly, Laura Iafrate Austin and her husband Kevin, Mark J. Iafrate and his wife Erika, Christine Iafrate Allain and her husband Casey and Meredith Iafrate Mahoney and her husband Kevin.  Edith is also survived by her beloved great grandchildren, aka “The Hooligans;” Adrienne, Sydney, Julia, Gabriella, Gracelin, Cara, Avery, Adalyn, Michael, Harrison, Nicholas, Charlie, Vivian and Thomas.  She leaves many nieces and nephews. Edith was predeceased by her siblings Eleanora Carcieri, Theresa Castellucci, Jeanette Torti, James Marcello, Luco Marcello, Florence Prior and Lillian Beveridge.

Learning to sew at a young age Edith continued this passion throughout her life making and altering clothes and repairing beloved stuffed animals for her grandchildren and great grandchildren. When she joined the North Providence Mancini Senior Center in 2004 she expanded her love of sewing to quilting. She looked forward to her weekly sessions with Elaine and the quilting ladies.  She loved to knit and crochet, making numerous baby sweaters and blankets for family and friends.  Her knitted dish cloths were cherished and highly prized gifts.

She readily admitted no love of cooking but she loved to clean. “A place for everything and everything in its place” was a favorite saying of hers.  A pile of clothes to fold or a dishwasher to empty were not chores to her but favorite pastimes.

Although the love of her life was Frank, she had many high-powered “boyfriends.” She was quick to clarify “friends who are boys.”  While they each vied for the title of number 1 boyfriend and she enjoyed the attention, she loved them all equally.

Edith became a social media celebrity in the form of a Facebook page titled The Edith Chronicles.  Her videos and words of wisdom brought joy and laughter to many throughout the country and the world. She was always thrilled to meet one of her hundreds of fans and was amazed that so many people that she had never met thought to wish her well or make a comment on a post.  Wherever you are on Wednesday wear a little red, her favorite color to honor and celebrate Edith’s life and we hope you will post a picture on The Edith Chronicles.

Visitation will be held Tuesday November 12, 2019 from 4-7 p.m. in the ROBBINS FUNERAL HOME, 2251 Mineral Spring Avenue, North Providence. Funeral will be held on Wednesday at 9:45 am from the funeral home with a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 11 a.m. in St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, 1413 Mineral Spring Avenue St, North Providence. Burial will be in St. Ann Cemetery, Cranston. In lieu of flowers, donations in Edith's memory may be made to: St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, PO Box 1893, Memphis, TN 38101-9950 or in honor of one of her “boyfriends,” Sgt. Eddie Malloy, PPD, who passed away October 31 to the Malloy Strong Patient Assistance Fund, Lifespan Cancer Institute, P.O. Box H Providence, RI 02903