Pauline L. Denning

DENNING, PAULINE LONGO, age 96, of Warwick, RI, a retired research scientist and educator, passed away on Sunday, November 16, 2025. She was born in Providence, RI to the late Paul and Sofia (Salzillo) Longo.

Pauline graduated from Pembroke College at Brown University in 1950 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology. After graduation, she moved to Shrewsbury, MA to work as a research scientist at the Worcester Foundation for Experimental Biology. There she worked in the laboratory of Dr. Gregory Pincus whose team pioneered advances in reproductive health and helped develop the first oral contraceptive. After five years at the Foundation, she returned to RI to continue her research in women's health at RI Hospital, where she studied the Papanicolaou (Pap) test for cervical cancer screening. She forged a career as a research scientist in the field of women's health at a time when few women were welcomed into the science profession.

In 1959, Pauline married Howard F. Denning and together they had two children, Terri and Paul. After six years of marriage, her beloved Howie passed away from cancer and she became a stay-at-home mother to her two young children. When they became older, she decided to put her scientific training and experience to further use by teaching science in the Warwick School System. She obtained her Master's Degree in Education from Providence College in 1975 as part of her teacher training, and then taught science at Wyman Elementary School for 19 years. She retired from teaching in 1990 and remained busy traveling, attending the opera and theater, pursuing new hobbies, volunteering, and most importantly, spending time with her two grandchildren. She was an active member of the Brown Alumnae Club of Kent County, where she chaired the annual Barker Playhouse fundraising event for many years; the Edgewood Garden Club, where she assembled award-winning flower arrangements; and the Kent County Retired Teachers' Association and the Rhode Island chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, where she stayed in touch with dear friends and colleagues. As the Secretary of the Classical High School Class of 1946, she organized reunion activities that kept her classmates connected over many, many years. She was a devoted parishioner of St. Peter's Church in Warwick, where she served on the Parish Council.

Pauline will be remembered and missed for her generosity, kindness, and amazing Italian cookie-baking skills. She is survived by her daughter Teresa "Terri" Denning Sevilla (Edward Sevilla) of Wellesley, MA; her son Paul Howard Denning, M.D. of Atlanta, GA; her granddaughter Nina Denning Sevilla (Edward "Ned" Donaldson); and her grandson Edward Howard "Teddy" Sevilla; and many beloved nieces and nephews, and their children. She was the sister of the late Antoinetta M. Longo, John C. Longo, Americo D. Longo, M.D., and Lillian Longo.

Visting hours will be held on Friday, November 21 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Barrett & Cotter Funeral Home, 1328 Warwick Avenue, Spring Green, Warwick. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, November 22 at 10:00 AM at St. Peter's Church, 350 Fair Street, Warwick. Burial will be in St. Ann Cemetery, Cranston. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, 200 Niantic Avenue, Providence, RI 02907 or Amos House, 460 Pine Street, Providence RI 02907.