Grace J. (Houle) Romiti

On October 13, 2023, Grace J. Romiti of Bellingham, MA passed away peacefully at Milford Regional Medical Center with her loving family at her side. It was just two days shy of her 100th birthday. Born in Woonsocket, RI on October 15, 1923, Grace was the daughter of the late Albina (Rainville) Houle and Alfredina Houle. She is predeceased by two sisters: Theresa Houle and Jeanette (Houle) Carriere; her husband of 45 years: Adolfo ("Duffy") Romiti; and her second husband of 12 years: Arthur Esposito.

Grace was raised in Woonsocket, the eldest of three daughters of French-Canadian textile mill workers. Grace left school at a very young age to help support her parents and younger sisters. She became a seamstress--working in this profession for much of her adult life. In 1945, Grace married Duffy Romiti, whom she always referred to as "the love of her life". In 1950, the couple moved to Bellingham and had two children, Richard and Carol. They lived on Pulaski Blvd. in Bellingham until Duffy's untimely death in 1990.

Even with her added role as a working mother, Grace's life was a legacy of love and devotion to family. Her priority, beyond all else, was to care for her children and her husband. Later in life, that maternal concern extended to her four grandsons and, in turn, to her great-grandchildren. Grace's great love and sense of self-sacrifice for her family never waned or wavered, even into her 100th year of life.

Grace was also kind and generous to many others in her life circle. She enjoyed baking, and made a variety of desserts for many people, including two choral ensembles that she baked delicious pastries for on a weekly basis: the choir of St. John the Evangelist Church (Hopkinton MA) and the "Treblemakers" Chorus (Hopkinton Center for the Arts). Grace also donated hundreds of beautifully knitted and crocheted items to local charities and senior centers, and made homemade pasta for friends, acquaintances, and several of her doctors. Her warm, generous spirit and charismatic personality endeared her to everyone that knew her intimately, as well as people that she might have interacted with for just a few minutes.

Throughout her life, Grace maintained a practice of great religious devotion. Each of her mornings commenced with an extended period of prayer for all of those close to her, as well as others who were suffering or in need. Despite the many personal losses and hardships that Grace had suffered throughout her life, she remained a woman of great faith, love and kindness.

When there was time to relax, Grace greatly enjoyed playing cards--poker, pitch or rummy--with family and close friends. From her youth through her retirement years, Grace was an avid (and very skilled) ballroom dancer. And, for many years after retirement, she also enjoyed playing the slots at Foxwoods and Twin River Casinos.

Grace is survived by her loving family that includes two children: son Richard and his wife Susan L. Romiti of Bellingham, daughter Carol and her husband Ronald Pouliot of Blackstone; four grandsons and spouses: Scott and Jennie Romiti of Medfield, MA, Jeffrey Pouliot of North Smithfield, RI, Brian Pouliot and Kelly Cardin of South Salem, NY, and Jonathan and Amelia Romiti of Medfield, MA. Grace is also survived by her beloved great-grandchildren: Briana and Juliet Romiti, Wyatt and Stella Pouliot, Zoe and Norah Pouliot, and Alexander and Madeline Romiti.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, November 4, 2023 at 10:00 AM in St. Joseph's Church, 1200 Mendon Road, Woonsocket,followed by a Memorial Service at Precious Blood Cemetery, Diamond Hill Road & Rathbun St., Woonsocket. Arrangements are under the direction of the Holt Funeral Home, 510 South Main St., Woonsocket.
www.holtfuneralhome.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Grace J. (Houle) Romiti, please visit our floral store.