Thelma Mazzucchelli

Thelma Mazzucchelli, 89, of Providence, died peacefully on August 31, 2022,
attended by her loving family. She was the devoted wife of the late Louis J. Mazzucchelli, DDS, for 57 years.

Born in Providence to Severino "Fred" and Viola (Muscente) DiLibero, she was raised in a household of art and music. Her grandfather, Antonino Muscente was a composer and band master from Italy who led one of the first brass bands in Rhode Island, and her father was an artist and sign painter who specialized in gold leaf lettering.

Thelma displayed a penchant for drawing as a child, and after high school she was offered a full scholarship to the Rhode Island School of Design-one she was forced to decline. Undeterred, she pursued creative education and endeavors throughout her life, from apparel design to decorative painting to designing home interiors. She served as a docent at the RISD museum in the 1970s, and later in life was a member of the Providence Art Club.

In addition to the arts, she enjoyed sports and was an avid football fan, and Lou and Thel could often be found on a sofa together cheering on the Patriots. Ice dancing was another favorite activity, and she appeared at the finale of one annual skating club show in a costume glowing with electric lights as "Miss World Peace." Thelma especially loved visiting the Vermont mountains for ski trips to Sugarbush with her family.

Her lifelong passion, though, was being a mother. She was dedicated to her children and happily spent years driving them to skating rinks and tennis clubs and art schools and music studios, and then gathering them together for her delicious lasagna, eggplant parmesan, frittata, roasted peppers, and apple (or blueberry) pie. As spouses and grandchildren appeared she continued her cherished holiday traditions around her expanded family table.

Thelma was predeceased by her older sister, Virginia DiLibero, and is survived by her children, Louis Mazzucchelli Jr. and his wife Susan Paffrath, Linda Tilden and her husband Peter Tilden, David Mazzucchelli and his wife K. Richmond Lewis, and Robert Mazzucchelli; her five adored granddaughters, Elizabeth and Katherine Mazzucchelli, Caroline and Alexandra Tilden, and Ariana Mazzucchelli; and her great-grandson Ryder Kerr. She also leaves her loving sister (and "ballet" partner) Evelyn Ciasullo and her husband Paul, with whom she shared many happy outings, as well as nieces and nephews Paul Jr., Diana, Eric, and Loren, and their children Paul Donald, Steven, Alyssa, David Eric, Julia, Matteo and Eden; and her dear friend Eugene. Her love for her family was immeasurable.

Visitation will be held on Thursday Morning, September 8, 2022 from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. in the Maceroni Funeral Home, 1381 Smith St., North Providence, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 A.M. in St. Augustine Church, 639 Mt. Pleasant Ave., Providence. Burial will follow at the Swan Point Cemetery on Blackstone Blvd. in Providence. IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, DONATIONS MAY BE MADE IN MRS. MAZZUCCHELLI'S MEMORY TO THE HOPE HEALTH HULITAR HOSPICE CENTER 1085 N MAIN ST, PROVIDENCE, RI 02904, WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.