Jennie M. Proto, 88

Jennie M. Proto of Barrington passed away on Thursday, Jan. 31, 20013 at Rhode Island Hospital surrounded by her family. She was 88.

She was the wife of the late Samuel Proto and the daughter of the late Francesco and Theresa (Pannone) Ranieri.

She is survived by her daughter, Jean Baxter, and her husband, James; a step-grandson, Joseph Baxter, and his wife, Tiffany, and their two young sons, Bryce and Brent. She also leaves two sisters, Dorothy Bruneau of Warren, and Carol Paradiso and her husband, Francis, of Warren; her sister-in-law, Loretta Ranieri, of Barrington, as well as many loving nieces, nephews and great nephews. She was also the sister of the late Rose Donato, Viola Petit, Rita Gaudreau and her only brother Andrew Ranieri.

Proto worked at the S.E. Rains Company in Warren for 52 years prior to her retirement. She was the matriarch of her family, opening her home and heart to family and friends for all holiday celebrations. She especially loved cooking the traditional foods along with the family favorites.

She was a member of St. Alexander Parish, where she was the president of the Women's Apostolic. She enjoyed being involved in church functions from running the card party and Christmas bazaar to working at the summer festival serving up pasta and meatballs. She will long be remembered for her eggplant sandwiches and Italian cookies, but most importantly for her love of family, friends and life itself.

A funeral will be held on Monday at 9 am from the Wilbur-Romano Funeral Home, 615 Main Street, Warren, with a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Alexander Church, 221 Main Street, Warren. Burial will be in St. Alexander Cemetery, Warren.

Relatives and friends are invited to call on Sunday, Feb. 3, from 3 to 6 pm at the funeral home. Contributions in her memory can be made to St. Alexander Church.