Jean Palumbo, 93, of Johnston, passed away in her sleep on November 8, 2020. Daughter of Teresa and Sisto Bianchi and the last of her siblings (Valentino, Julia, Mario, Candita, Chet, Vincent, and Ann), Jean was a firecracker. Even though Alzheimer's disease had robbed her of so much, what endured was her enjoyment of music and singing, and a mischievous smile that often appeared when she heard a joke or a taboo curse word.
Jean was so much more than the Alzheimer's, which clouded her later years. A skilled cook and baker, her pineapple upside-down cake remains legendary within the family, and nobody fried Christmas Eve smelts like Jean. She held many professional positions throughout her lifetime, capped off as a manager at DiRaffaele Jewelry. However, her most lasting impact continues to be felt in her role as loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.
Jean loved a good joke, a gentle tease, and cantaloupe. Whenever her family would visit her home, she would demand to know if they were hungry, and refused to accept if they were not; invariably, she would press a bowl of cut-up cantaloupe on them. She also loved the underdog - she particularly rooted for any baseball player or other sports figure who was derided in the media for not playing very well, or for the smallest fish in the multiple fish tanks in her home. Other loves of Jean's life: crossword puzzles, organic produce, mismatched pajamas, and her beloved Armand.
Jean leaves her husband and soul mate, Armand DiRaffaele, her sons, David Palumbo (Linda) of Harmony, and Anthony Palumbo of Warwick, her grandchildren, Joyce Gordon, Jill Palumbo, Sarah Palumbo, and Katie Palumbo, and two great-grandchildren. Her family will continue to remember her infectious laughter and her admonishments that everyone should "be a good doobie." She was the best doobie of them all.
A private service will take place in Spring, 2021. Contributions in Jean's memory can be made to the Alzheimer's Association of RI: www.alz.org/ri.