Evelyn J. Nadeau

PAWTUCKET

Evelyn J. (Graiko) Nadeau, 81, of Pawtucket, passed away Thursday, March 12, 2026, at Rhode Island Hospital in Providence. She was the wife of the late Roger "Pete" C. Nadeau.

Born in Pawtucket, she was the daughter of the late Alexander and Sophie (Piepszny) Graiko. She was a lifelong resident of Pawtucket.

Evelyn was employed at The Miriam Hospital for over 25 years until her retirement. During her time there, she worked in several departments, including Admissions, the Emergency Department, Patient Registration, and as a Unit Secretary on various hospital floors. She also worked as a secretary in the Recovery Department and in both the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) and the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

She was a communicant and devoted member of Holy Cross Church in Central Falls. Throughout her lifetime, she served on the Parish Committee, was a longtime member of the Ladies Adoration Society, taught Sunday School, and participated in many church functions. She especially enjoyed volunteering in the Polish kitchen with her late husband and fellow parishioners and held lifelong fond memories of her early years teaching Sunday School. Her family and friends will remember her deep love for her Polish National Catholic faith and devotion to Holy Cross Church.

Evelyn enjoyed reading and crocheting. She loved crocheting gifts for family and their friends. Everyone who was lucky enough to receive her lovingly hand-crocheted gifts-whether a throw blanket, hat, scarf, or pair of slippers-loved them. She also enjoyed vacationing with her husband in the Las Vegas casinos. While she only played the slot machines, she managed to win on every vacation and would return home and share some of her winnings. Evelyn was a lifelong fan of the Boston Red Sox. She often retold stories of listening to the games on the radio as a child with her father; this was where her love of the team began. Later, as an older adult, she watched every game on television. A highlight was visiting Fenway Park, and she also enjoyed a trip to the "other small ballpark," Camden Yards in Baltimore, for a game. She loved her dogs through the years-Princess, Happy, Jessie, Brittany, and Maggie-and regularly supported several causes, including animal welfare.

She leaves behind her daughters, Robin Nadeau of Massachusetts and Tracy Giblin and her husband, William, of Nevada; her cherished grandchildren, Mia and Sophie Giblin of Nevada; her beloved dog, Maggie; and dear relatives and friends, including Alice Nadeau and her partner, Manuel Barbosa.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to Evelyn's Life Celebration with visitation on Friday, March 20, 2026, from 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM in the J. J. Duffy Funeral Home, 757 Mendon Road, Rt. 122, Cumberland. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 AM at Holy Cross Polish National Catholic Church, 320 High Street, Central Falls. Burial will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery, Seekonk.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory are welcome to Holy Cross Polish National Catholic Church, 320 High Street, Central Falls, RI 02863, or to the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RI SPCA) at rispca.org.

ONLINE MEMORIAL: jjduffyfuneralhome.com