Laurena M. Szlatenyi

Laurena M. Szlatenyi 103, passed away peacefully on Saturday September 24, 2022 at the Saint Elizabeth’s Home in East Greenwich after a brief illness. She was the beloved wife of the late Francis F. Szlatenyi for nearly 66 years, and the daughter of the late Everett E. and Mary Jane (Sullivan) Sherman and stepdaughter of the late Rosetta A. (Gifford) Sherman.

She is survived by her sister, Mary Maine of Cranston; children Gene and wife Sally of Virginia, Paula and life partner James Losco of Florida, Freda and husband Marc Hamelin of Coventry, and Leah and life partner Richard DiGennaro of West Kingston.  She was also the mother of a newborn son Karl who died shortly after birth.  She was the grandmother of five grandchildren and six great grandchildren. 

Born in East Providence, she later moved to her childhood home in Cranston, and once married lived in upper state New York, Panama, and eventually settled in Coventry.

Laurena was a graduate of Cranston High School Class of 1937.  During World War II she tested crystals for walkie-talkies for the troops in the war and thereafter worked in various labs as a lab technician, a sculptor at Bradford Soap Works, and a painter at Universal Engravers. She was a gifted artist who worked in many mediums and was a member of the Wickford Art Association. 

As a long-term communicant of Saint John and Paul’s Church in Coventry, she received many awards for her volunteerism, serving as a Eucharistic Minister at the church and in that capacity volunteered at Kent County Hospital, Coventry Health Center, as well as a numerous other nursing homes. She also volunteered at the former Eleanor Slater Hospital.

Laurena was a loving, caring and charitable woman who was loved by the many people she met during her long life and was a great inspiration to her family and friends.  She was especially honored to have attended live events featuring Helen Keller and Mother Theresa.

Services for family and friends of Laurena as well as her caretakers are invited to her funeral on Thursday beginning at 8:30am in The Butterfield Chapel 500 Pontiac Avenue Cranston followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in Saint Mary’s Church 68 Church Street West Warwick at 10:00am.  Burial will follow in The Rhode Island Veterans Cemetery Exeter.

Laurena was very appreciative of the care and friendship she received from the staff at St Elizabeth’s Home and the family will be forever grateful for their sincere compassion and kindness.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Saint Elizabeth’s Home in East Greenwich or a charity of your choice.