Gloria E. (Papini) Reis, 94, of North Providence, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, February 8, 2023. She was the wife of the late Joseph C. Reis. Born in Central Falls, she was the daughter of the late Ezio and Elizabeth (Recorvitz) Papini. In addition, Gloria leaves behind a devoted family: her daughter, Sandra Reis Williams, of North Providence, with whom she lived; her daughter-in-law, Dale A. Reis, of Niantic, CT; her grandchildren, Courtenay E. Williams (Kai Lee), Grant L. Williams (Alejandra Hernandez), Amy K. Williams, MD (Adam Obaza), Christopher J. Reis, Andrea L. Reis-Silvia (Andrew Silvia); and one great-grandchild, Meredith. She was predeceased by her sister, Dorothy J. (Papini) Couture; daughter, Joanne M. Reis; son, Joseph P. Reis; and son-in-law, Lawrence W. Williams.

As the parent of a child with Down Syndrome, she was frustrated by the lack of available resources for her daughter, Joanne. This compelled her and her late husband to join forces with several other parents to found The ARC of Blackstone Valley. She served on the Board of Directors for many years and was honored with induction into its Inaugural Hall of Fame in 2005. Gloria earned her Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Rhode Island College. She was a special education teacher in the Pawtucket school system for 19 years, and was respected and admired by her colleagues for her dedication and work ethic. Gloria developed a great love for golf and was a member of the Louisquisset Country Club for many years. She also was a member of the Rhode Island Chapter of the General Federation of Women's Clubs and a communicant of St. Anthony's Church.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to Gloria's Services on Thursday, February 16th. Visitation is from 10:00-11:15 AM at the Costigan-O'Neill Funeral Home, 220 Cottage St., Pawtucket, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 12:00 Noon at St. Anthony's Church, 1413 Mineral Spring Ave., North Providence. Burial will follow in Mount Saint Mary's Cemetery, Pawtucket.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to The ARC of Blackstone Valley , 500 Prospect St., Wing A, Pawtucket, RI 02860 or Hope Health 1085 N. Main St., Providence, RI 02904.