07/29/2026
GREETINGS! On behalf of Our Executive Director - Faithful Friend & Loyal Colleague, Jack Lancellotta and his family, we are lamenting to announce that his Beloved and Lovely Aunt, Ms. Viola De Gregory, whom we have lauded and enjoyed sharing with you, her century mark plus of living onto the beautiful holy holidays, has sadly left us.
She was always a warm and wonderful friend to our JAYCEE organizations, our friends and supporters and so many charities and we'll truly miss her loving presence.
The family has released a tribute and memorial to her for your review and edification ~ GOD Bless You Viola!
Ms. VIOLA ‘Miss VI’ DEGREGORY. who after coming just days away from reaching her 102nd year on GOD’s Good Earth, slowly and passively, through her family network of home and homecare, entered her Eternal Reward with Our Risen LORD on Monday, July 13, 2026.
Viola was born in W. Warwick, Rhode Island on a steamy August 7, 1924 and has been a life-long resident of the Town of West Warwick since that time as well as a graduate of its High School in 1942 with business & finance training.
She became the Daughter of Humberto DeGregory & Angela Petrarca-DeGregory, who had immigrated from Benevento & Fornelli, Italy, respectively, in 1923 and was sibling to brothers the late Mario ‘Danny’ DiGregorio (Loretta Riley), Jerry (Irene Bedard and Dorothy Sutton) & Anthony DeGregory (Ann Allaire) and Sisters Angela DeGregory, Mary Grace Rose DeGregory-Lancellotta (beloved Joseph), Anna DeGregory-Landry (beloved Norman) and Stella DeGregory as their family tree.
Viola was an extraordinary executive office employee and secretary from working in the historic mill complexes of the Pawtuxet River Valley at Royal Mills for Natco Products through the 1960’s and insurance industry of the 1970’s to being in personnel management at the Kent County Memorial Hospital until her retiring employment in the latter 1980's at the Pharmacy Unit of the former Rhode Island Department of Mental Health, Retardation and Hospitals ( now Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals and was so very appreciated by former bosses and fellow employees.
She has always been truly active in church, class reunions and civic responsibilities, including holy sodalities (Sacred Heart), charitable causes, scouting meetings, disable citizens’ visitations and supporting numerous worthy causes.
During her long and productive lifetime, she has demonstrated in countless ways her charm, compassion, skills and outreach to others and has earned such respect and affection of people from all walks of life and all ages.
She has lived during the most eventful century of this world’s history; and in her rather sophisticated way has been a force for good and a stabilizing influence on those around her during such turbulent and also manageable years;
Viola is survived by her caring Nephew John J. “Jack” Lancellotta and loyal family friends Ron Holloway, Dwight David Colvin, Lou Pinga and Sandra Peters; she also has loving Nieces & God Daughter Anne Landry-McCall (beloved Bill), Maryann DeGregory-Fillo (Husband Paul) and Haley, Donna Conway, Winifred, Dawn & Elizabeth Costanza, (late Jaimie DeGregory-Michalski), Tonia DeGregory-Wilson, Aimee DeGregory, Brittany DeGregory- Mason, Kim Raposa-Braga & Alicia DeGregory; Nephews Humbert (wife Joan), Anthony, Jr. Andrew & Peter DeGregory (wife Debbie), Norman Paul Landry, II, Louis (Barbara) Raposa, Nathan DeGregory, Louie, Jr., Michael & (late) David Raposa, William McCall, Jr., Vincent, Michael, David and Josh Costanza, beloved Nephews & God Sons, Joey & Jimmy Lancellotta and Dr. Jerry (Rosalie & beloved, Susan) DeGregory, Jr. and numerous caring Cousins & Relatives.
Appreciation is given to W. Warwick Fire & Police Departments, Bayada, Abraham, Beacon Amedisys Health Care, (retired) Dr. Michael Rekas. her able caring assistants Andrea, Sonia, Crystal, Nou, Brenda, Ciarra, Erik & Darlene and all who contributed to Viola’s quality of life.
There will be a Public Visitation on Friday, July 31, 2026 @ Prata Funeral Home on 78 Providence Street in W. Warwick from 4 – 7:Pm with a Mass of the Resurrection on Saturday Morning @ 10:Am from the Sacred Heart Church 820 Providence Street in West Warwick.
Any Masses, Spiritual Cards or Donations (Amedisys Amedisys
of RI) to charities can be given in Viola’s name – Thank You.
