<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?> <rss xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema" version="2.0"> <channel> <description>Anderson Winfield Funeral Home provides online obituaries, funeral notices, condolences, tributes and death notices - powered by the national CurrentObituary.com database.</description> <item> <description>Leo W. Barter, Jr., 89, of Pleasant View Avenue, Smithfield, passed away on Wednesday October 28th in the Hulitar Hospice Intake Center, Providence. He was the husband of Sandra M. ( Ramos ) Barter. They had been married for 62 years. Born in Dorchester, MA, a son of the late Margaret ( Kerr ) Barter. He had lived in Smithfield for 57 years previously living in Pawtucket and Quincy, MA. He was an US Air Force Veteran, where he had received the Commandant's Award for top of his class US Air Force. Leo was a Data Processing Supervisor for Cranston Print Works in Cranston for 24 years before retiring in 1998. He had been an Eucharistic Minister at St Michaels Church, a member of their Social Justice committee. He had started the CYO basketball program at St Michaels Church and was a coach there for many years. He was an avid sports fan and would enjoy watching his teams, but he principally loved grabbing a seat in the stands and watching his grandchildren play their various sports. He looked forward to spending time with his family, He had coached in Smithfield youth sports leagues, including girls softball, boys , and girls basketball, He had founded and played in the over 35 Men s Softball league in Smithfield. He continued to play in the over 50 leagues and over 70 leagues. He and Sandra loved vacationing in Florida during retirement. He was a 2022 inductee into the Smithfield Heritage Hall of Fame for his many contributions to youth sports in Smithfield. Besides his wife, he leaves his children, Mark J. Barter and his wife Norma of Coventry, Steven J. Barter and his wife Anne of Hopkinton and Karen A. Laboissonniere of Smithfield. He was the grandfather of Cory Barter, Joseph Barter, Sarah Barter, Matthew Laboissonniere, and Katherine Laboissonniere. He was the great-grandfather of Cameron and Landon Barter. He was the brother of the late F. William Barter. His funeral will be held on Friday November 6, 2026 at 9am from the Anderson-Winfield Funeral Home, Route 44 at Greenville Common, Greenville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10am in St. Michael Church, 80 Farnum Pike, Smithfield. His burial with Military Honors will be held in the RI Veteran s Cemetery, Exeter. Visitation will be held on Thursday November 5th from 4pm to 7pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to St. Jude Children s Research Hospital. &lt;a href="https://www.stjude.org/about-st-jude.html" title="St. Jude s Children s Research Hospital" target="_blank"&gt;St. Jude s Children s Research Hospital&lt;/a&gt; </description> <enclosure length="0" type="image/jpeg" url="https://currentobitwebstorage.blob.core.windows.net/081/e6fbab1a1e9849e1bf70f187c7ea07bf.jpg" /> <link>https://www.currentobituary.com/member/obit/303550</link> <pubDateParsed>2026-11-02T01:43:56.3753933Z</pubDateParsed> <title>Leo W. Barter, Jr.&lt;br/&gt;Oct 28, 2026</title> </item> <item> <description>Carol Joyce (Anderson) Stamp, of Exeter, Rhode Island, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 19, 2026, at the age of 87, surrounded by the love of her family. Carol married her high school sweetheart, William Stamp Jr., and together they shared 67 years of marriage. Raised in Cranston, Rhode Island, Carol and Bill raised their five children before moving to the family farm in Exeter, where they worked side by side and built a lifetime of cherished memories. A proud graduate of Bryant, Carol valued education and community involvement. She was a member of the Order of the Rainbow, Miss Cranston, served as a dedicated 4-H leader for many years and past chair of the Exeter zoning board. Carol had a wonderful creative spirit and a gift for making ordinary moments special. Whether painting, arranging flowers, crafting, or creating beautiful birthday cakes for her grandchildren, she found joy in sharing her talents with others. A member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Smithfield, Rhode Island, Carol's Christian faith was an integral part of her life. Her kindness, generosity, and quiet strength were reflected in the way she lived and cared for those around her. Carol was a devoted wife, loving mother of five, proud grandmother of 19, and great-grandmother of 13. The family she and Bill built together was her greatest joy. In addition to her beloved husband, William, Carol is survived by her five children and their spouses: Cynthia Duncan and her husband, John; William Stamp III and his wife, Ann; Cheryl Churchwell-Phelps and her husband, Dan; Nancy Ferrara and her husband, James; and Brenda Diepold and her husband, Brian. She was the cherished grandmother of Daniel Duncan, Thomas Duncan, Greg Duncan, and the late Cassandra Duncan; Rachael Juskuv, Jacqueline Kerr, Justin Stamp, Laura Hendrick, Hannah Stamp, Rebecca Stamp, David Stamp, and Benjamin Stamp; Meaghan McGuire, Kate Lodder, and Matthew Churchwell; Abriel Ferrara and Emily Ferrara; and Eric Kerr and Katherine Kerr. From life on the family farm to clambakes, holidays, and birthday celebrations, Carol created memories that will be treasured for generations. While her family mourns her passing, they find comfort in their Christian faith and the promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ. Her love will remain in their hearts, and her legacy will live on through the family she cherished so deeply.  The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.  Psalm 23:1 Her funeral will be held SATURDAY, October 24, 2026 at 10am in Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 54 Cedar Swamp Road, Smithfield. Burial will be in Highland Park, Johnston. Following the burial the family invites everyone to return with them to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church for continued fellowship. A visitation will be held THURSDAY, October 22, 2026, 3-6pm at Anderson Winfield Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church. </description> <enclosure length="0" type="image/jpeg" url="https://currentobitwebstorage.blob.core.windows.net/081/8c3e5f3736054f3f9edeb399445c99f0.jpg" /> <link>https://www.currentobituary.com/member/obit/303385</link> <pubDateParsed>2026-11-02T01:43:56.3753933Z</pubDateParsed> <title>Carol J. Stamp&lt;br/&gt;Oct 19, 2026</title> </item> <item> <description>Kenneth J. Caduto, 64, died Wednesday, October 14, 2026. He was the husband of Kerri-Ann (Flaherty) Caduto for 33 Years. Born in Cranston, the son of Joseph and Jean M. (Lord) Caduto. He grew up in Glocester, graduating from Ponaganset High School, Class of 1980. Ken worked for the Massachusetts Department of Corrections: MCI-Norfolk for 33 years before retiring at the age of 55. After retiring and unable to sit still, Ken worked as a security guard at Bally s Twin River Casino for the last eight years. Ken was a very punctual and dedicated employee, receiving Employee of the Quarter in 2023. When not working, Ken enjoyed spending time golfing, walking, smoking a cigar, vacationing with his wife and friends at Bonnet Creek in Lake Buena Vista, FL, and anything with his children and grandson, Jameson. Besides his wife, Ken is survived by his children: daughters, Lauren and Jillian, son, Patrick and his wife Stacy; his grandson, Jameson; his sisters and spouses: Patricia and Nick Mattera of Cranston, Pamela and Robert Nixon of Warwick, and Lisa Vale of Saugerties, NY; his mother-in-law Ruth Flaherty, of Bridgewater, MA; and his in-laws: Joan Leonard, Shawn and Kathleen Flaherty, all of Bridgewater, MA, and Joy and Matthew Henry, of Raynham, MA; along with many nieces and nephews. His funeral will be held Wednesday, October 21st at 11am in the Anderson-Winfield Funeral Home, Rt 44 at Greenville Common, Greenville. Burial will follow in Acote s Hill Cemetery, Chepachet. His visitation will be held Wednesday morning, 9:30-11am. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to St. Jude Children s Hospital or a mental health foundation of your choice. </description> <enclosure length="0" type="image/jpeg" url="https://currentobitwebstorage.blob.core.windows.net/081/71f5d850dfcf4b108cf64a822fde0de1.jpeg" /> <link>https://www.currentobituary.com/member/obit/303325</link> <pubDateParsed>2026-11-02T01:43:56.3753933Z</pubDateParsed> <title>Kenneth J. Caduto&lt;br/&gt;Oct 14, 2026</title> </item> <item> <description>Anthony Trotta, Jr., 67, of Greylawn Avenue, Warwick, passed away on Tuesday October 13, 2026, in his home and surrounded by his family. He was the beloved husband of Crystal (St. Jean) Trotta. Born in Providence, a son of the late Anthony Trotta, Sr., and Jeanine (Watson) Vigeant. He had lived in Warwick for many years, previously living in Montana and Smithfield, RI. He was an US Army veteran. Anthony was an automobile mechanic with Tim and Sons Auto Repair. He had also been a cement finisher. Anthony enjoyed riding motorcycles. He also liked going camping, kayaking and mountain biking. Besides his wife he leaves his sons, Travis Trotta and Tony Viveiros and a stepson Zachary Harris. He was the brother of Gina Trotta, Joseph Trotta and his wife Kim Messinger and Tina Vigeant. A grandfather of 3. He also leaves nieces, Jennifer White and Jeanine Conforti and nephew, Kevin Butryman. He was the brother of the late John Trotta. A graveside service will be held on Thursday October 22, 2026, at 1pm in Highland Park, Johnston, RI. Visitation respectfully omitted. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to ALS United, RI Chapter. &lt;a href="https://alsunitedri.org/" title="ALS United" target="_blank"&gt;ALS United&lt;/a&gt;</description> <enclosure length="0" type="image/jpeg" url="https://currentobitwebstorage.blob.core.windows.net/081/abc7fc803fd44e8fbd1ce30bb30480b7.jpg" /> <link>https://www.currentobituary.com/member/obit/303303</link> <pubDateParsed>2026-11-02T01:43:56.3753933Z</pubDateParsed> <title>Anthony Trotta, Jr.&lt;br/&gt;Oct 13, 2026</title> </item> <item> <description>Sheila Dawn Turner September 2, 1941  October 10, 2026 Sheila Dawn Turner, 85, of Smithfield, Rhode Island, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 10, 2026, in the comfort of her own home, surrounded by her loving family. Born in Smithfield, Sheila was the daughter of the late Donald and Marjorie (O'Donnell) Mountford. She spent her life in the Smithfield and Glocester communities. Sheila was predeceased by her beloved husband of 54 years, Richard S. Turner, who passed away just 18 months ago. Their marriage was a beautiful love story built on companionship, devotion, and an extraordinary bond. Richard was truly the love of her life, and his passing left an emptiness that Sheila felt deeply. She missed him terribly, and her family takes comfort in knowing that they are now reunited. A fiercely private woman, Sheila found her greatest happiness in the people she loved most. Her family was her entire world, and there was nothing she would not do for those she loved. She loved deeply, quietly, and unconditionally, always putting the needs of those closest to her before her own. Sheila enjoyed a long and dedicated career as a claims representative for the Social Security Administration before retiring. In her quieter moments, she enjoyed working on puzzles, embroidery, trips to the casino, and especially the memories of a Caribbean cruise. She appreciated life's simple pleasures and the time spent with those she loved. Of all the blessings in Sheila's life, none brought her greater pride than her only son, Timothy Turner, and his wife, Shanyn, of Smithfield. The bond between Sheila and Tim was truly extraordinary, rooted in a lifetime of love, friendship, and unwavering devotion. Throughout her illness, Tim remained faithfully by her side, spending countless hours with his mother, honoring her wishes, and ensuring that she received the love, comfort, and dignity she deserved. Sheila was a proud and loving grandmother to Kaylyn Kellogg and her husband, Clayton; Timothy Turner; Abby Cotoia and her husband, Frank; Sophie Floyd and her husband, Jason; Joshua Turner; and Brayden Turner. Each of her grandchildren held a special place in her heart and brought her immeasurable joy. She was also a cherished great-grandmother to Clayton Kellogg, Charlotte Kellogg, and Adeline Mae Cotoia. In her final hours, her great-grandchildren were with her, bringing comfort and peace as she was surrounded by the love of her family. Sheila is also survived by her sisters, Donna Comfort and Jill Masso. She was predeceased by her siblings, Michael Mountford, Sandra Langford, Donald Mountford Jr., Chet Mountford, and Kevin Mountford. Services private. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Breakthrough T1D https://www2.breakthrought1d.org </description> <enclosure length="0" type="image/jpeg" url="https://currentobitwebstorage.blob.core.windows.net/081/4597145319b64cf6b351298b068f76f5.jpg" /> <link>https://www.currentobituary.com/member/obit/303263</link> <pubDateParsed>2026-11-02T01:43:56.3753933Z</pubDateParsed> <title>Sheila D. Turner &lt;br/&gt;Oct 10, 2026</title> </item> <item> <description>Barbara M. Plouffe, 82, of Smithfield, RI, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 9, 2026 at Lake Forest Nursing Home in Smithfield. She was the daughter of the late Henry and Ruth Decourcy. Barbara dedicated many years of her career to caring for others as a Certified Nursing Assistant at Blackstone Nursing Home. She was known for her caring nature and compassion for those she helped. Barbara will be dearly missed by her family and all who knew and loved her. She had been a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Burrillville and most recently, St. Thomas Episcopal Church. She was the loving mother of Dawn Plouffe of Smithfield and Keith M. Plouffe and his wife, Jennifer, of Moosup, CT. She was the proud grandmother of Alexandrina Plouffe and D Artagnan Plouffe. A Requiem Eucharist will be held Thursday, October 15, 2026 day at 10am in St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Rt 44, Greenville. Burial will be at a later date. </description> <enclosure length="0" type="image/jpeg" url="https://currentobitwebstorage.blob.core.windows.net/081/4eb986504e6e41f0859f8beae29dc3c4.jpg" /> <link>https://www.currentobituary.com/member/obit/303203</link> <pubDateParsed>2026-11-02T01:43:56.3753933Z</pubDateParsed> <title>Barbara Plouffe&lt;br/&gt;Oct 09, 2026</title> </item> <item> <description>Sonja M. Mowatt, 59, of Tanglewood Drive, Greenville, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 9, 2026, surrounded by her family at the HopeHealth Hulitar Hospice Center in Providence. She was the beloved wife of David Mowatt, with whom she shared a wonderful life for over 23 years. Born in Bellevue, Washington, she was the daughter of N dine (Lougee) Schultz and the late Thomas P. Schultz, Chief Petty Officer, E-8 of the U.S. Navy. As the child of a Navy service member, Sonja lived a life of spirited adventure early on, relocating many times from Europe to the Middle East and cultivating a lifelong love of travel and the world around her. A dedicated and compassionate healthcare professional, Sonja had a long career as a Registered Nurse for the State of Rhode Island at the Eleanor Slater Hospital, Zambarano Unit. A fierce advocate for her patients, she was always drawn to care for the most challenging cases with unwavering empathy and strength. Sonja s vibrant personality and zest for life touched everyone who knew her. She had a true flair for fashion and a brilliant sense of style, always staying ahead of the trends. Whether she was effortlessly rocking a bold lipstick or coordinating accessories that were the envy of many, Sonja always made a statement. She loved the beach, swimming, and fresh seafood. A sophisticated cook with a passion for gastronomy, Sonja could follow a complex recipe or spontaneously create an incredible spread, and she was always ready to make a great frittata. She loved entertaining, bringing people together, listening to all kinds of music, and dancing. Besides her husband Dave, Sonja leaves her stepsons, Christopher J. Mowatt, his wife, Amanda, and grandson Henry W. Mowatt of Billerica, MA, and Daniel R. Mowatt of Providence. She was the devoted daughter of N dine Schultz and sister of Sean T. Schultz and his wife, Elizabeth all of Daphne, AL. Visitation, to which friends and family are invited, will be held on Friday, October 16th, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, in the Anderson Winfield Funeral Home, Route 44 at Greenville Common, Greenville, RI, concluding with a prayer service at 6:45 PM. Burial will be private. </description> <enclosure length="0" type="image/jpeg" url="https://currentobitwebstorage.blob.core.windows.net/081/0194473a88df4121b48a958981713f5c.jpg" /> <link>https://www.currentobituary.com/member/obit/303213</link> <pubDateParsed>2026-11-02T01:43:56.3753933Z</pubDateParsed> <title>Sonja M. Mowatt&lt;br/&gt;Oct 09, 2026</title> </item> <item> <description>Robert E.  Bobby Colaluca, 94, passed away on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at Stillwater Assisted Living in Greenville, with his family by his side. Born in Providence, he was the son of the late Lorenzo and Giovanni (Paparelli) Colaluca. He lived in North Providence before settling in Smithfield. Bobby was a Master Plumber and worked as a Plumbing and Heating Contractor and had been affiliated with Smithfield Plumbing and Heating Supply. He honorably served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. Lovingly known for decades as  Papa Colaluca or  Uncle Bobby, he leaves his children, Robert Colaluca Jr., Lorenzo Colaluca, Dino Colaluca and Debra Bailey; seven grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren. In just four short weeks, he would have become a great-great-grandfather with the arrival of his first great-great-grandson. He is also survived by his siblings, Brenda O Brien, Americo Colaluca, Ann Colaluca Jordan, Elsie Whitaker, Rose Ryan, Almerinda Colaluca, Jeanne Current, Vittoria Card and Lawrence Colaluca. He was predeceased by his siblings, Albert L. Colaluca, Albert M. Colaluca and Dorothy Hill, and his granddaughter, Celina. Visitation will be held Tuesday, March 13, 2026 from 5 7 p.m. at Anderson-Winfield Funeral Home, Route 44 at Greenville Common, Greenville, with a prayer service at 6:45 p.m. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Shriners, c/o Office of Philanthropy, 2900 N. Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607 &lt;a href="https://donate.shrinerschildrens.org/give/716571#!/donation/checkout?c_src=shrinerschildrens&amp;c_src2=main-nav" title="Shriners" target="_blank"&gt; Shriners&lt;/a&gt; </description> <enclosure length="0" type="image/jpeg" url="https://currentobitwebstorage.blob.core.windows.net/081/10db5a74c484419ca418719a4ae178b8.png" /> <link>https://www.currentobituary.com/member/obit/303163</link> <pubDateParsed>2026-11-02T01:43:56.3753933Z</pubDateParsed> <title>Robert E. "Bobby" Colaluca&lt;br/&gt;Oct 06, 2026</title> </item> <item> <description>Eugene  Gene R. Ricci, 82, of Calderwood Avenue, Greenville, died Monday, September 28, 2026 at his home. He was the husband of Gail Ann (Drozda) Ricci. They had been married for 53 years. Born in Providence, he was a son of the late Albert and Elia (Renzi) Ricci. He had lived in Greenville for 51 years. He had previously lived in Providence. Gene served in the US Army retiring as a First Lieutenant. He retired from Packaging Concepts as a Mechanical Engineer. He enjoyed woodworking and built his own home in Greenville. He loved animals. Besides his wife, he is survived by his children: Brian Hawley and his wife, Colleen, Christine Lapierre and Allison Bousquet and her husband, John, his ten grandchildren, three great grandchildren and his brother, David Ricci. He was the brother of the late Albert Ricci, Jr. His funeral service will be held Monday, October 5, 2026 at 10am in the Anderson-Winfield Funeral Home, Rt 44 at Greenville Common, Greenville. Visitation Monday morning from 9-10am. Burial with military honors will follow in the Rhode Island Veteran s Cemetery, Exeter. In lieu of flowers donations in his memory may be made to the ASPCA </description> <enclosure length="0" type="image/jpeg" url="https://currentobitwebstorage.blob.core.windows.net/081/bdc0d38baedc47da9ff2191d94368125.png" /> <link>https://www.currentobituary.com/member/obit/303021</link> <pubDateParsed>2026-11-02T01:43:56.3753933Z</pubDateParsed> <title>Eugene "Gene" Ricci&lt;br/&gt;Sep 28, 2026</title> </item> <item> <description>Joyce Marillyn Kratt 89 died Thursday, September 24, 2026, at HopeHealth Hulitar Hospice Inpatient Center in Providence. She was the widow of Albert Trapper Kratt, Jr. who died in 2014. Born in Omaha, Nebraska, she was the daughter of the late George E. and Anna June (Engel) Johnson. She attended Benson High School in Nebraska and upon completion took a Secretarial job at the Strategic Air Command Base in Omaha where she met the love of her life and they were married 6 months later. They relocated to Parsippany NJ while Albert finished college and then transferred to Smithfield RI in 1964 where they spent their life and raised their family. Joyce was a stay-at-home mother. She loved to read and was an avid seamstress and quilter. She loved to cook and serve family all the mid-west home cooked recipes from her mother and grandmother. She and Al spent their retirement years traveling and attending Elderhostel s. They were always looking for something new to learn about this wonderful country. Joyce had an obsession with Christmas and the day after Thanksgiving she would start her decorating of every space of her home, including changing all the curtains. The culmination of her Christmas passion was having the whole family to her home for a Christmas breakfast of Danish pancakes (Ebelskivers), a part of her family s heritage and tradition. Joyce is survived by her children: Robin Shields and A. Trapper Kratt, III, her son in law William Shields, her grandchildren Robert and his wife, Jennifer, Brian and his wife, Jessica, William, Margaret, Timothy and Mary-Catherine Shields, and her wife, Kylee, Marc Messier and Karli Kratt and her great grandchildren: Riley, Avery, Chase, Camden (Salisbury), Fiona, Seamus, Owen and Parker Shields. She was the mother of the late Kathy (Kratt) Messier and the sister of the late Georgeann (Johnson) Hepburn. Her visitation will be held from 4-7pm on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, in the Anderson Winfield Funeral Home, Rt 44 at Greenville Common in Greenville. A service will be held at Anderson Winfield Funeral Home on Thursday October 1, 2026 at 11am. Burial will follow in the RI Veteran s Cemetery, Exeter. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Alzheimer s Association. &lt;a href="https://www.alz.org/" title="Alzheimer's Association" target="_blank"&gt; Alzheimer's Association&lt;/a&gt; &lt;div style="position:relative;padding-top:calc(min(56.25%,576px) + 42px);max-width:1024px;margin:0 auto"&gt;&lt;iframe class="ts_player" src="https://www.tributeslides.com/videos/embedded_video/TZ3C8G3G54F6KCX8" allow="autoplay; fullscreen" style="border:none;position:absolute;left:0;top:0;height:100%;width:100%" width="512" height="330" sandbox="allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox"&gt;&lt;/iframe&gt;&lt;/div&gt; Today I have the difficult honor of saying a few words about my mother. It is hard to put a lifetime of memories into a few minutes. I could begin by talking about my relationship with her. I could tell you about what it was like to be her daughter, to love her, to learn from her and at times, to be challenged by her. But when I think about my memories and what has moved me most about her, I find myself thinking NOT about my relationship with my mother, but about the relationship I watched her build with my children, her grandchildren. There is something very different about the love between a grandmother and her grandchildren. And I have to honestly admit I was always in a bit of awe of that relationship, even a little jealous. With the kids, I saw a woman who could laugh with them, spoil them, feed them, tell them exactly what was on her mind and somehow make them feel completely safe being themselves. There was freedom in their relationship that I found beautiful to watch. They didn't see her simply as MY mother. They saw her as THEIR grandmother, and she gave them a relationship that belonged entirely to them. So how did she master this gravitational skill? The only way to know for sure was to go to the source, my children. Over the course of the last few days, I have spent my time talking to the kids and their insight was invaluable. First and foremost was food! She always kept the items of food in her house that drew the children there, food I never allowed in my house: Soda, gum, canned ravioli and spaghetti O's, Devil Dogs, and Potato Chips. She knew each of the children's favorite meals and took every opportunity to host many tasty family dinners. Her recipe files were full of her families traditional meals as well as many recipes she collected from the grandchildren. And when Joyce was not cooking, she would treat the children to dinners at their favorite local restaurants. But to Joyce, it was the food that brought them through the door but once they were there, sitting around the table, she had them right where she wanted them and the fun began, a more subliminal fun. Joyce was anything but ordinary, not the typical grandmother. She was funny, bold and she certainly never worried too much about what she was supposed to say or whether her grandchildren were too young to absorb it meaning. She spoke her mind regardless. They never really had to wonder what she was thinking because chances were, she had already said it. She had a way of making an impression on my children when they talked. They might not always have agreed with her initially, but ironically, they kept coming back for more and more and more. She would talk to them, share her thoughts, offer advice, and impart her wisdom. And knowing my mother, I'm sure that wisdom was delivered in her own unmistakable way with a little humor, or a little boldness, and absolutely no sugar coating. But what I love most about this memory from my children is what it says about my mother. She understood that feeding someone was about so much more than putting food on a plate. It was about bringing people together. It was about making them feel welcome, creating a space where they could talk, and finding those opportunities to share the things she believed were important. Joyce was a strong woman, but her strength was never the whole story. Deep down, she had an enormous capacity to love. She may not always have expressed that love in a conventional way or wrapped up in soft words and sentimental gestures. But it was there in the times she spent with the kids, in the time she gave of herself just to them. She PROVED in her own way THAT SHE wanted them to be a part of her life and her to be a part of theirs. I think my children will carry these memories for a lifetime, to remember it was not just the taste of her snacks or the laughter they shared, or even the memorable things she said, but the feeling of being loved by someone who was entirely and unapologetically herself. - Robin Shields </description> <enclosure length="0" type="image/jpeg" url="https://currentobitwebstorage.blob.core.windows.net/081/4abafc34bdfd4c53be6b115b8fd53692.jpeg" /> <link>https://www.currentobituary.com/member/obit/302927</link> <pubDateParsed>2026-11-02T01:43:56.3753933Z</pubDateParsed> <title>Joyce Marillyn Kratt&lt;br/&gt;Sep 24, 2026</title> </item> <lastBuildDate>Mon, 02 Nov 2026 01:43:56 UTC</lastBuildDate> <link>/member/81</link> <title>CurrentObituary.com RSS feed for Anderson Winfield Funeral Home</title> <pubDate>Mon, 02 Nov 2026 01:43:56 UTC</pubDate> <webMaster>webmaster@currentobituary.com</webMaster> </channel> </rss>