Lillian "Lil" (Paparelli) Dennis

Newport, NH – Lillian “Lil” Dennis, 95, a longtime resident of Goshen, NH passed away to join her love of 70 years, Ernie, on Monday, January 23rd, 2023.

Lil was the eldest child of John and Mary (Conti) Paparelli, born on June 24th, 1927, in Providence, RI. She grew up on Diamond Street in Providence, where she met the soon-to-be love of her life, Ernie Dennis, at age 6. They were happily married at Holy Ghost R.C.C., Providence, RI, on June 28th, 1947. She attended Providence Trade School where she learned the craft of dress-making. Lil was a natural homemaker to her 4 boys, enjoyed sewing, crafts, and cooking Sunday dinner for her family. You often found her and Ernie sitting around the kitchen table talking of long past and cherished memories with guests, laughing at Ernie’s jokes, figuring out puzzles, or playing card games with their grandchildren. With a strong belief in her faith, she and Ernie would be found at mass every Saturday, followed by a coffee at McDonalds. In their golden years, Lil and Ernie spent their winters in Brooksville, FL at Clover Leaf Campground. Lil was always sewing costumes and participating alongside Ernie in the campground plays, shows, and musicals. They made life-long friendships with many of the residents in the “Forest.” Lil spent the last 4 years of life enjoying her time with old and new friends at Summercrest Assisted Living in Newport, NH. She spent 95 years living a happy and healthy life.

Lil can be best described by her adoring family. Ma, Nana, Lilly, as they each lovingly called her, had a fun sense of humor, loved unconditionally, and had an unwavering devotion to her faith. She shared stories of struggles and perseverance, teaching that life is who you surround yourself with. Her love was expressed through cards, phone calls and happy memories. The family is at peace knowing that she is with her heavenly father and Pa eternally. Until we meet again, “So long Nana.”

Lil is predeceased by her parents, John Sr., and Mary, her two brothers John “Sonny” Jr. and Robert “Bobby” Paparelli and her beloved husband Ernest Sr. She is survived by her loving family, sister Jeanne and Joseph Amaral, East Providence, RI, her sons Ernest Jr. and Barbara, Goshen, NH, Richard Sr. and Deborah, Warwick, RI, Gary and Marianne, Goshen, NH, Kenneth and Linda, Newport, NH, her grandchildren, Richard Jr. and Angie, Bryan, Jessica, Laura, Kevin, Cara, Kyle, and her great- grandchildren, Katelyn, Justin and Tamryn.

A Catholic mass in honor of both Lil and Ernie, will be held at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Newport, NH on Saturday, February 4th at 11am. A gathering in remembrance will be held immediately following at Assumption Hall. A burial will be held in the spring, at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation be made in her name to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, https://www.stjude.org/ .

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