Sharlene L. Damiani
Date of Passing:
Damiani, Sharlene L. (Wagoner)
It is with profound sadness that the family of Sharlene L. Damiani announces her passing at home surrounded by her loving family on December 27, 2021 at the age of 68. She was the wife of the late Honorable RI State Senator Michael J. Damiani Sr.
Born in Providence, a daughter of the late Thomas Wagoner Sr. and Dorothy (Rivers) Wagoner, Sharlene lived in Riverside for 45 years.
Mrs. Damiani was a political activist in East Providence and Rhode Island State politics. She was an inspiration of optimism and perseverance and was both a passionate political enthusiast and a clear-eyed pragmatist. Sharlene was an exuberant, sunny force in East Providence and was always willing to reach out to those in need. She dedicated her life to her family, children, grandchildren, friends, and community and was a force to be reckoned with. She welcomed people from all walks of life into her family and home and was equally comfortable sitting amongst distinguished diplomats as she was with the underserved. Sharlene was incredibly outgoing and committed and fought long and hard with determination to remain with the ones she loved for as long as possible.
Sharlene was a Rhode Island State Committeewoman for Representative District 65, Chairwoman of the Rhode Island Senate 18 Endorsement Committee, Chairwoman for the Crescent Park Carousel Commission, former Chairwoman of the Ward 4 East Providence Democratic City Committee, former member of the East Providence Housing Authority, former member of the East Providence Juvenile Hearing Board, Past President of the Waddington and Riverside Middle School PTAs. Sharlene was a former member of the East Providence Charter Review Commission, and a former member of the Rose Larisa Park Design Committee.
She is survived by her children, Michael J. Damiani Jr. and his wife Isabel of Attleboro, Jennifer L. Damiani and her fiancé Justin Kmieciak of Riverside and Christine M. Damiani of Riverside; four grandchildren, Evelyn, Jocelyn, Lucas, and Joseph; a brother, Thomas Wagoner of Riverside; a niece, Jessica Meneses and many other nieces and nephews and her faithful and devoted dogs, Ollie and Reggie. She was the sister of the late William Wagoner.
Her Funeral will be held Monday January 3, 2021 from the W. RAYMOND WATSON FUNERAL HOME, 350 Willett Avenue, Riverside at 8:45 a.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial in St Brendan Church Turner Avenue Riverside at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Calling hours are Sunday from 3-6 p.m. Face Masks are required.
Contributions in Sharlene’s memory to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284 would be deeply appreciated. For online condolences please visit wrwatsonfuneralhome.com
My sincere condolences and sympathy to the entire Damiani family.
Sorry for your loss. She was a force on nature when she had to be. At least she and Mike are together.
Our sincere condolences to the entire Damiani family
Sorry to hear about the passing of Sharlene. I know she will be missed. Try to remember the good times you had with her over the years.
Mike, Jen, Christine, I am truly saddened by your Mom’s passing, she was such a special lady, always with words of support and sincere comfort for so many ! May she rest easy now she fought the good fight for so long. Fly high Sharlene ❤️
My thoughts & prayers are with u all. I am the youngest sister to your grandmother Dottie. Sorry I could not make the services.
Sharlene was very kind to me, we would text now and then. I’m very sad over her passing, sad for her children in knowing the heartbreak of losing a Mom so young. God be with the Damiani’s.
To the Damiani family,
We are so sorry to hear this sad news about your Mom.
Our deepest Sympathy goes out to all of you at this very difficult time.
We are so sorry for your loss.She was a wonferful woman.
We are heartbroken at the death of Sharlene, one of the grand ladies of Riverside. She was a mentor to Maurice in his work with local politics and he loved talking to her and Michael, hearing their wisdom and grand store of stories. She was always ready to help people and ready for a laugh.
I am so shock to hear SHARLENE passing SHE was one of the most generous person A true friend to those who she met I worked with her on the on the CAROUSEL committee PLUS her DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE for MIKE SHE was full of life and lived her life loving every day SHE made you feel like family YOU will be sadly miss my friend TERRY BARRY my heart goes out to the family
My condolences to the Damiani family. I am so sorry for your loss. Sharlene was a wonderful person and she will be missed. May she rest in peace and may god bless you all during this difficult time.
Our sincere condolences to the Damiani children during this difficult time.
Michael, Jenny and Chrissy, I am so sorry for the loss of your mother. She was an amazing woman and she was devoted to her children and grandchildren. She too, was way to young, to die and we are the less for her absence. I will miss her as Iill many other people in this City and the State. I am lucky to have some wonderful memories of her and your Dad. Campaign season was especially memorable. Heaven has added a new angel and we have lost one. May she rest in peace.
I am so sorry to see Sharlene gone from this world, But knowing her I’m sure she’s in heaven!
To the Damiani Family,I am so sorry for your loss,Many good times at the Parties over the last 40 years with both your Parent’s.May Sharlene Rest in Peace & God Bless. Steven Gianlorenzo
I was saddened to hear about Sharlene’s passing! I was fortunate enough to cross paths with Sharlene & Mike while I was a teacher at Waddington School! Mikey and Jennifer were my first grade students, there was always something very special about this family! I told Sharlene quite often that there are some families that stay close to your heart, and the Damiani family was certainly one of them ! Rest easy Sharlene , you put up a valiant fight! May Sharlene’s memory be eternal!
My deepest condolences to the entire Damiani family. Your Mom was one of a kind. I’m so glad I got to visit her prior to her passing but of course it was not enough. I’ll miss our laughs and fun days at Barrington Beach. Beach days will not be the same without you.
So sorry to hear of Sharlene’s passing. Our condolences to the family. She was truly a unique, caring and kind individual. She would always invite me to sit with her and the ladies at her table at Farnsworth’s Restaurant in Riverside. I looked forward to seeing her whenever I would have breakfast there.
Our sincere condolences to the
Damiani family in the passing of
Sharlene.
She and the Damiani family
contributed much to the City of
East Providence.
Richard/Beverly Ferreira
So sorry to read of the loss of Sharlene. We always enjoyed her company and her intelligence she exhibited. We had so many good times at the parties she and Mike had over the years at their home. Our sincere condolences go out to the Damiani family. No doubt she will be a loss to her community. May she rest in peace.
Our condolences to the Damiani family. We send our prayers and support during this difficult time. May the love of Jesus comfort and bring you strength. RIP Sharlene we are grateful for the friendship we had.
Until we meet again, fly with the angels.
Allen & Linda Winter
Thank you for the kindness and joy you brought to Riverside, and for the laughs and friendship you shared with my Stepdaddy, especially recently. You two were some serious fighters. Please hug him extra for me ❤️
My sincere condolences to the Damiani children and family. She was a wonderful person and always willing to help anyone in need. May the lord have her in a special place. My prayers are with you all.
We are verry sorry for the loss of Sharlene she was a great lady the Noonan family
This truly amazing woman, spirit and presence was a true blessing to her community.Thanks to her equally wonderful spouse , Michael, for sharing her with all us as well as the many kindnesses snd contributions they made to the Townie community.Sincere sympathies and prayers go to all her family as she snd her wonderful husband share in the bliss of God’s beautiful kingdom.