2014 -- S 2838

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LC005291

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF ALICE VIOLA

     Introduced By: Senators E O`Neill, Ruggerio, Ciccone, Archambault, and Nesselbush

     Date Introduced: March 27, 2014

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

     WHEREAS, It is with great sadness that this Senate has learned of the passing of Alice

Viola, wife of the late Anthony Viola, Jr., for 56 years, and mother of the late Richard Viola,

Sr.   She is survived by her daughter-in-law Rosemary Viola, and was the loving grandmother of

Richard Viola, Jr., and his wife, Juliet, James Viola and his wife, Michelle, and Thomas Viola,

and Laura Viola.  She was the very proud great grandmother of three great-grandchildren, Juliet,

Florence, and Gregory, and also leaves behind her beloved friend and confidant, David Carbone;

and

     WHEREAS, Born and raised in the City of Providence, Mrs. Viola was the daughter of

the late Dr. Romeo and Laura Natal, and sister of the late Thomas Natal.   She was a graduate of

Classical High School and had attended Lincoln Chiropractic College; and

     WHEREAS, Mrs. Viola was the owner of Alice Viola Properties of North Providence

and had previously owned and maintained several properties in the town and also in the City of

Providence.  For 17 years, she had been a reporter for The Echo, where she wrote a column on

numerous topics, and had authored numerous books and a collection of poems on love,

relationships, and religious related topics; and

     WHEREAS, Devoted to the community, Mrs. Viola was a life member of the American

Heart Association, the Home Builders Association, Federal Hill House, the Rhode Island

Foundation, the Rhode Island Historical Society, Bishops Council, Friends of the Handicapped,

Fatima Hospital, the International Poetry Hall of Fame, and the International Library of

Photography; and

     WHEREAS, Mrs. Viola was also a devout Catholic, whose faith was evident in all she

did.  She was a generous contributor to St. Anthony Church and Food Ministry, and had

volunteered myriad hours for the Association of the Blind, Little Sisters of the Poor, St. Francis

Chapel, and the Rhode Island Hospital Guild; and

     WHEREAS, Mrs. Viola had been the recipient of numerous awards and was elected to

the Poetry Hall of Fame, but she was perhaps most proud of the Alice Viola Breast Care Center at

Fatima Hospital.  As a cancer survivor, she knew firsthand the needs of women undergoing breast

cancer treatment and wanted to create a place that would combine the multiple facets of care and

support that they would need.  In addition, she also contributed to refurbishing the hospital

chapel, construction of the surgical center, and numerous other hospital renovations; and

     WHEREAS, Alice Viola was a pioneer for women's rights, an astute businesswoman, a

consummate humanitarian, an activist, an author, and a poet.  She was beloved by her family,

admired by her friends, and committed to making this world a kinder place.  She will be dearly

missed; now, therefore be it   

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

hereby expresses our deepest sympathies on the passing of Alice Viola; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Rosemary Viola and Family, and Mr. David

Carbone.

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