Norma E. (Smith) Sprague, age 84, formerly of Farnum Road, Warwick, passed away on Monday, March 27, 2017, at West Shore Health Center in Warwick. She was the wife of the late Chief Wilson “Bill” Sprague (WFD, Ret.).
Born in Providence, the beloved daughter of the late Hazel (Mills) Smith Cipollone, and the step-daughter of the late John Cipollone, she was a life-long Warwick resident. She was a 1951 graduate of the former Aldrich Senior High School in Warwick. Mrs. Sprague worked as a supervisor at the old Providence Gas Company, and later worked security at Ann & Hope in Warwick for 11 years, retiring in 1990. She was the secretary of the former Church of the Resurrection, and a member of its altar guild. She was an active member of St. Mark’s Church in Warwick, and served on its altar guild, in the choir, and as a money counter. She volunteered at the church fairs, suppers, and bazaars. She was a founding member of the former Warwick Civic Chorale, served as its president for several years, and continued to be active when it became the West Bay Chorale. She also sang with the Pawtuxet Valley Singers.
Mrs. Sprague was the mother of Kathy A. Arnone of Warwick and Michael S. Sprague (Linda) of Glocester. She was the devoted grandmother of Jason Arnone (Kerri), Kristina Arnone, Matthew Sprague, and Erika Sprague; and the great-grandmother of Isabella, Porter, and Callen Arnone. She was the sister of the late Philip S. Smith. Norma also leaves behind her cousins, Marjorie Belcher and Judith Carraway of California, and Robert Mills of Warwick; and her second family, the staff of West Shore Health Center. She was the life-long friend of Barbara Sorgel.
Her funeral will be held on Monday, April 3, at 9 a.m. from the Barrett & Cotter Funeral Home, 1328 Warwick Avenue, Spring Green, Warwick, with a Requiem Eucharist at 10 a.m. in St. Mark’s Church, 111 West Shore Road, Warwick. Visiting hours will be on Sunday from 2-5 p.m. Burial will be in Pawtuxet Memorial Park, Warwick.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, RI Chapter, 245 Waterman St., Suite 306, Providence, RI 02906, or the ALS Association, 2374 Post Road, Suite 103, Warwick, RI 02886. www.barrettandcotter.com
