Mersia Felicio

Mersia Felicio of Lewisburg, formerly of Providence, R.I., loving wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend of so many, died peacefully on June 10, at the age of 93 surrounded by family and friends after a brief illness.

Exceptionally giving and generous, she had a way of making every person she met feel special. As her sons described her, “she had the biggest heart in the world.” All who knew her will miss her laugh, joy of life, and compassion for others.

She was born in New Bedford, MA on July 4, 1926, a daughter of the late Joaquim S. and Mary (Medeiros) Cunha. She lived in Virginia and California but considered Providence, Rhode Island her true home, as she lived there for most of her life before relocating to Lewisburg two years ago.

Mersia was predeceased by her former husband David M. Felicio. Subsequently she did not remarry, but spent many years with her dear companion, Normand Champagne, who preceded her in death in 2005.

She was a graduate of Hope High School, Providence R.I., and was employed at Davol, Inc., in Providence.

Surviving Mersia are her sons and their wives, David J. Felicio and Mary K. Forzani of Winfield, and John J. and Virginia H. Felicio of Washington, D.C.; former daughter-in-law, Marie A. Felicio of Fairfax, VA; one brother and sister-in-law, Fernando S. and Karolye Cunha of Providence, R.I.; four grandchildren and their spouses, Annemarie and husband Michael Fox of Alexandria, VA, David O. Felicio and his partner Veronika Volkov of Winfield, Carol M. Felicio of Winfield, and John Tomas Felicio of Washington D.C.; and one great-grandson, Sean M. Fox.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Wednesday, June 17, at Sacred Heart Church, 814 St. Louis St., Lewisburg, with Rev. Mark Wilke, as celebrant.

Family and friends are welcome from 9 to 10 a.m., Saturday June 20, at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 21 Traverse St., Providence, R.I., where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10, with Rev. Joseph Escobar, as celebrant.

Those in attendance of either service are required to wear masks and social distancing will be in effect.

Burial will be in Swan Point Cemetery, Providence, R.I.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 21 Traverse St., Providence, R.I. 02903.

Funeral arrangements are by Roupp Funeral Home, Inc., 8594 Old Turnpike Rd., Mifflinburg.