JO-AN PARENTE

PARENTE, Jo-An (Plaistek) Beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Accomplished dancer and teacher. A beloved daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, great-grandmother, friend and companion, Jo-An Parente, age 85, passed away peacefully, on June 20, 2025, surrounded by her family in East Greenwich, RI. While Jo-An filled all of her roles with great love, if you asked her who she was at her core, she would answer "a dancer." From age eight to 84, she entertained and taught hundreds through her talent for ballet and tap. Born on July 25, 1939, to Wanda and Frank Plaistek, she attended Woonsocket High School, spent summers studying ballet in New York City, and went on to graduate from the University of Rhode Island (URI) with a degree in Business Administration. While in college, she met her future husband, Robert Parente, and together they raised three children in Cranston, RI. Jo-An was heavily involved in supporting youth sports and St. Paul's parish events, while serving as an elementary school teacher at St. Timothy's in Warwick, RI, where she received a "Best Teacher" recognition. She passed on her love for dance to her daughter Linda and her granddaughters. Upon retiring to Jupiter, FL, she was an active member of The Coquettes, a renowned tap dance group that entertained seniors throughout the Palm Beach area. Wherever and whenever there was music playing, she could be seen dancing a few steps and inviting others to do the same. She enjoyed traveling, reading and perusing the Wall Street Journal cover-to-cover every day. Throughout her life, she worked tirelessly to ensure her family and friends were cared for, always offering a helping hand and an ear to listen if someone was in need. She simply loved making people feel good. This was her greatest legacy. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband of 48 years, Robert A. Parente, Sr. She is survived by her three children: Linda Parente (Armin Kososki), Robert Parente (Sue) and Peter Parente (Hope); her grandchildren: Laura, Melissa, Ryan, Lucy, Robert, Peter, Georgia and Henry; her great-grandchildren: Roman, Lucy, Charlotte and Thomas; her sister-in-law, Carolyn King; nephews, Kurt King (Lisa) and Jason King; and niece, Allison King (Svenja); her caring companion of more than ten years, Bill Pyrczak; and many cherished friends. The family extends its deepest gratitude to the staff at The Seasons in East Greenwich for their compassion and the wonderful care they provided during Jo-An's time there. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Jo-An's name may be made to The Seasons East Greenwich, 5 Saint Elizabeth Way, East Greenwich, RI 02818. Visiting Hours: Calling Hours will be held on Monday, June 23, from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m., at Jones-Walton-Sheraton Funeral Home, 1895 Broad Street, CRANSTON, RI. Family and friends are invited to attend Jo-An's Funeral Mass on Tuesday, June 24, at 10 a.m., at St. Paul's Church, 1 St. Paul Place, Cranston, RI.

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