Obituary

Gloria E. Pari, 92, died Monday, August 18, 2025 at Stillwater Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Greenville with her family by her side. She was the beloved wife of Nicholas J. Pari. They had been married for 71 years.

Born in Providence, she was a daughter of the late George and Mary (Musto) Barnds. Gloria lived with her husband, Nicholas in Mount Pleasant from 1963-1978, North Providence from 1978-1988, and Johnston from 1988-2023.

Gloria and her husband Nicholas raised their family in Mount Pleasant and North Providence. As empty nesters, they lived in Johnston for 35 years. Gloria was a dedicated wife and homemaker. She was an incredible cook and baker. Gloria had an intuition for fashion and style; she was always beautiful and young at heart. Gloria's family was her world. Gloria always had time to listen, to help and to support family and friends. Since her Alzheimer's diagnosis in 2018, her husband has been a constant and loving caregiver. Their love is a love that is everlasting.


Besides her husband, Gloria is survived by her daughter, Sheila Chisholm and her husband, Glenn of Lincoln; her son Richard Pari and his wife, Christina, of Unicoi, TN. Gloria’s grandchildren include “Little” Richard Pari and his wife Brianna of Johnston; Nicholas Chisholm and his wife, Lisa of Cambridge, MA; Jessica Norton, and her husband, Kyle of Fayetteville, NC. Gloria’s great-grandchildren include Matteo Pari and Antonio Sanchez, both of Johnston. Gloria is survived by her half-sister Diane Cendroski of Johnston. Gloria was the sister of the late Albert Barnds, Robert Barnds, and Carmella Sivo.


Her funeral will be held Friday at 9am from the Anderson-Winfield Funeral Home, Rt 44 at Greenville Common, Greenville. Mass of Christian Burial at 10am in St. Philip Church, 622 Putnam Pike, Greenville. Visitation, Thursday 2-4pm. In lieu of flowers donations in her memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

My brother Richard is unable to be with us today. He is in need of a second open heart surgery to correct a leaky valve. The trip would be too risky for him.

Mom knew he could not travel to her, so her soul traveled to him. She placed her hand on his heart at 8:15 on August 8th during the Patriot pre-season game, and she told him “Do not worry. You are going to be okay.” Then, mom kissed him and left! Through the grace of God mom was able to deliver this message to Rick in Tennessee. The process is called astral projection or soul travel where the soul separates from the physical body. Mom always worried more about others than herself, and she was particularly protective of both her children, so it is not beyond imagination that she would find a way to comfort Rick.

Our mother was the perfect mother. I do not remember her raising her voice. Maybe I have forgotten, or maybe she just did not need to raise her voice. Mom knew how to diffuse any situation with a look, a few words, and often a hug. It hurt her to be harsh with anyone, so she would always find another way to get her point across. She dismissed any upset as “growing pains” She knew if she waited long enough her children would make the right decisions. She firmly believed Richard and I were good, smart, and reasonable, so we became mostly good, mostly reasonable, and in her eyes very smart.

It is most interesting how she handled her beloved. Nick loves Gloria past the moon, to the stars, and beyond, but sometimes his stubborn and somewhat demanding nature raised my mother’s eyebrow (yes, she had the uncanny ability to raise just one eyebrow….try it …. not easy!), so she would inflict the silent treatment. There was no penalty worse than her silence. It would never take Nicky long to find the right way to get back into her good graces as soon as possible. Her unconditional love for him made it easy.

Mom and I are just 22 years apart. Once she finished my “Dr Benjamin Spock” upbringing, though always mother and daughter, I would say we were friends. I never had a sister, so I daresay my mother was three people: mom, my best friend, and my sister. Even my friends enjoyed having Glo join in with the fun and laughter of our generation. Her sense of style and fashion always made my mom seem youthful and current.

She was quick to offer kind advice and encouragement to everyone in her orbit. My mom just loved people, and she made friends easily because she knew how to make everyone feel special and appreciated. She chose to focus on the good traits in those around her and always encouraged peace and harmony. She never had a bad word to say about anyone.

Mom never had a career outside the home. She absolutely loved being a wife, mother, and grandmother. Gloria had no interest in traveling the world because her family was her world. She was a hands-on Grandma with her first grandchild, “Little” Richard. Mom was there with Glenn and I when Nick and Jessica were born. Gloria charmed her way into the delivery room both times. First baths, first shots, first photos, first day of school; my mother was always there to help, to make things easier on two working parents, and to witness the miracle of her growing grandchildren. Day care was never a consideration because Grandma was there for them. Yet, mom was always careful not to impose her will or thoughts on child rearing unless asked. She could balance her helpfulness with our need for autonomy. Between her Dr. Spock roots in gentle child rearing and Dr. John Rosemond’s advice for me about common sense upbringing, my children grew into delightful adults. Jessica has embodied my mother’s endless compassion for everyone, especially children, and I daresay her intuition for fashion and style. Nicholas has embodied my mother’s patient nature and need for peace and harmony.

Gloria has suffered for 8 years with Alzheimers, but it never robbed her of her need to love and be loved. Of her caretakers, she often said “Everybody loves me, and I love everybody” She was thankful for their care and often verbalized her gratitude. She always “lit” up for her visitors. She realized she knew these special visitors, but she just could not remember how she knew them, so she asked and smiled at the answers every time. She would get so happy about visits that sometimes she would say “Merry Christmas” or “Happy New Year”.

Her most insightful and impactful words came out recently in the hospital when her mind was racing through dreams or memories throughout her life. She had been mumbling for hours about family members, housework, her sweetheart, mixed in with less coherent topics. As we were getting ready to end our visit, she suddenly reached out, took my hand, looked me in the eye and said with conviction “I want you to know, Love never dies”. This simple truth and guidance will stay with me and those who love her forever.

Eulogy for Mom written by Sheila 8/18/2025

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