Anna Bess (Covert) Gencarelle

Anna Bess (Covert) Gencarelle passed away on Wednesday, May 18, 2016 of natural causes while under the care of Hope Hospice & Palliative Care at the Westerly Hospital. Mrs. Gencarelle was born Dec. 12, 1926 in Ozark, Ark. to Blanche (Carpenter) and Arthur Covert.
Anna was predeceased by her husband, Nicolo "Jack Dempsey" Gencarelle. She is survived by her five children and their extended families, Jacqueline (Bob) Schinlever, Michael (Pattie) Gencarelle, Nicholas (Toni Mills) Gencarelle, Jr., Steven (Cindy Robb) Gencarelle, and Robin (Scott) Glanzman; eight grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Anna's early years were spent as a sharecropper's daughter and the youngest of five children on a farm in rural Arkansas. Many of her most precious memories and stories were of her bucolic youth and her musical family, especially her fiddle-playing brother, Buddy. In the summer of 1945, she met and fell in love with Jack while he was stationed with the Army at Fort Chaffee, Ark. Six weeks later they were married.
Anna settled in Westerly, R.I. as a 17-year-old war bride. It is hard to conceive today of the wonderment and oddness of a wide-eyed farm girl plopped down in an immigrant enclave of tenements filled with a large extended Italian family and friends while her husband shipped out to fight the final battles of World War II in Europe.
Jack returned to Westerly to join his expecting wife and welcome the birth of their first child. They were the essence of the attraction of opposites: she was young (17), shy, soft-spoken, tall, large-boned, green-eyed and beautiful; he was older (27), charming, outspoken, gregarious, darkly ethnic, and muscular with a boxer's broken nose. And yet, their love was forever young and unassailable. To this day, their children treasure having watched them laugh at their private, intimate jokes, dance the jitterbug to their favorite big band songs, hug and kiss and always demonstrate affection, never staying angry for long and always reconciling with humor. They complemented each other in their commitment to each other, to hard work, to their family and in their kindness and beautiful souls.
The generosity, heart and love that they put forth over their 57 years together are legendary. No matter how tough times were or how little money they had (and the lean years were many), the banquet was always on the table. Anna learned from the best cooks in the North End (especially Jack's Mom) and could create a feast from almost anything. This southern woman became a first-class Italian cook and earned accolades from all who were lucky enough to experience one of her meals.
Researching her maternal Carpenter family history, the family recently discovered a 12-foot high stone monument in Cranston, R.I. outside Roger Williams Park that was erected in 1860 by Earl Carpenter, youngest son of Nathaniel, In memory of those of his ancestors buried there and of his eldest brother, Daniel who died Dec. 25, 1775. His grandfather, Benjamin was a descendent of William Carpenter who was one of the First Settlers of Rhode Island with Roger Williams. So, unknown to her until last year, Anna had returned to the state founded by her ancestors.
Losing "Mimi", (as she was named by her eldest granddaughter and came to be known by everyone), is terribly sad and the inevitable physical end of a remarkable woman's life. But, the continuation of her legacy will endure not just through her adoring extended family but also with anyone who was blessed to experience the wit, wisdom, and warmth of one hell of a spirited, brave and incredible woman. She adored children and they adored her. She was playful and funny and uninhibited in her joy. May she rest in peace with her beloved Jack Dempsey.
Special thanks to Alvida Veit (her best friend) and Tillie Rezendes for the extraordinary care and comfort that they gave Mimi during her extended illness.
At Mimi's request, there will be no wake or funeral service at this time. Her ashes will be laid to rest at the R.I. Veteran's Cemetery, Exeter at her husband's grave. A celebration of her life will be held at the cemetery on Monday, July 18, at 10 a.m. A reception announcement will follow the celebration. Funeral services are under the direction of Rushlow-Iacoi Funeral Home & Crematory, 64 Friendship Street, Westerly. For online condolences, please go to www.rushlowiacoifuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her honor to the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, Post 8955, Amancio-Falcone-Gaccione Post, 113 Beach St, Westerly, RI 02891 or to a charity of your choice.