ROCKPORT: Providenza M. “Provie” (Loiacano) Corey, 73, of Sandy Bay Terrace, Rockport died Sunday evening, February 3, 2008, in the Addison Gilbert Hospital following an extended illness. She was the wife of Ronald D. Corey, Sr.
Born in Gloucester on June 25, 1934, she was the daughter of the late Allerio and Filippa (Nicastro) Loiacano. She lived most of her life in Gloucester and attended St. Ann’s School. She had resided in Manchester-by-the-Sea for several years, before moving to Rockport seven years ago.
One of ten children, Provie went to work as a teenager packing fish at the former Progressive Fish Plant. She was also employed in private duty nursing for many years. Most recently, she was employed by SeniorCare, Inc. and was actively involved in fundraising and public relations. She organized the annual talent show, raising money for the many services SeniorCare provides.
In the 1970’s and early 80’s, she was a member and past president of the Manchester High School Boosters and was known as the “Bell Lady.” She had a brass ships bell that she took to all sporting events and would ring it to all good plays and scoring. During football season, if the team didn’t hear her bell when they came onto the field, they would all be looking in the stands for her and she never disappointed them. She loved the school kids and they loved her.
In addition to her husband of forty-one years, she is survived by her daughter, Marianne McGillivray, two sons and a daughter-in-law, Stewart and Sandra McGillivray and Ronald D. Corey, Jr., four grandchildren, Stewart, Meaghan, Malarie and Mollie-Mae McGillivary all of Gloucester, six sisters and two brothers-in-law, Antoinette Aiello, Angie Strescino, Nina Brancaleone, Mary Randazza, Marianne and Matthew Tumbiolo all of Gloucester, Rose Lochrico of Pensicola, FL and Carlo “Charlie” Orlando, a sister-in-law, Rosalie Loiacano both of Gloucester, and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. She was predeceased by her first husband, Stewart McGillivray, two sisters, Jennie Scola, Grace Orlando, and her brother, Joseph Loiacano.
Her funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday morning in the Holy Family Parish, St. Ann Church at 9 a.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. There are no visiting hours. Expressions of sympathy may be made in her memory to VNA Care Network & Hospice, 5 Federal St., Danvers, MA 01923. Interment will be held in the Beech Grove Cemetery, Rockport.