CUMBERLAND — Sister Rose Maria Gallonio, 97, formerly known as Sister Mary Valeria, a Sister of Mercy, teacher and librarian, died on February 25, 2015 at Mount St. Rita Health Centre. Born in Providence, she was the daughter of the late Angelo and Elizabeth (Spirito) Gallonio. Sister Rose entered the Sisters of Mercy in 1935 and professed final vows in 1941.
In 1938, while continuing her studies, Sister began her teaching ministry at the former Immaculate Conception School in Providence. For the next forty years, Sister taught in parish elementary schools in Providence, Pawtucket, and Riverside. She then became librarian at St. Mary’s Academy, Bay View where she resided until moving to Franklin Court Assisted Living in Bristol, and later to Mount St. Rita.
In addition to her religious community, Sister is survived by a niece, Sandra Actis of California, three nephews, Angelo, Andrew, and Jeffrey Gallonio, as well as six grandnieces and grandnephews. She was a sister of the late Anthony, Andrew, and Victoria Gallonio, and aunt of the late Janice Healy.
A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated on Monday, March 2, in the Mount St. Rita Health Centre Chapel, Cumberland with interment at Resurrection Cemetery in Cumberland.
