Elsie M. Slonina
After a full and fulfilling life, Elsie Mary (Plouff) Slonina passed into eternal rest on June 6, 2019 at the age of 101 years. A long-time resident of both Pawtucket, RI and Seekonk, MA, she most recently resided at Atria Lincoln Place in Lincoln, RI.
Elsie was the daughter of Arthur and Marian (Coulter) Plouff. She was the wife of John Slonina, enjoying 37 years of marriage before his passing in 1977. She is survived by her beloved children: John Slonina, Jr., and his companion, Patricia Crowell, who Elsie fondly considered her “adopted” daughter; Cheryl Adamonis and her husband, James; and Patricia Vieira and her husband, Jacques. Elsie’s youngest child, Michael Slonina, passed away earlier this year.
Elsie cherished her five grandchildren and their families: JT Slonina and his sons, George and Henry; Heather Slonina and her daughter, Kaitlyn; Jessica Vincent, her husband Matthew and their children, Nicholas and Juliette; Whitney Tondreau, her husband Christopher and their daughters, Eve and Adeline; and Robynne Vieira and her partner, Steven Snell.
Elsie also is survived by her youngest brother, Robert Plouff, as well as many dearly loved nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her sisters Norma Croce and June Grenga and her brothers, Arthur and Howard Plouff.
After a long career as a homemaker and employee of Apex, Elsie retired to a second chapter of life where her independence, optimism, and interests thrived for decades. She traveled to California, Nevada, Florida, North Carolina, Maine, New Hampshire, and other locations for many adventures with family and friends.
Never sitting with idle hands, Elsie was a prolific craftswoman and knitter, selling her creations and donating countless hats, mittens, and lap robes to community organizations over the years. She served her Seekonk community as a guest reader at the Martin School, volunteered with the Doorways Food Pantry, and was active in numerous programs with the Town’s Council on Aging.
Elsie was a talented artist who loved sketching favorite scenes on any handy scrap of paper. She was a regular participant in the intergenerational art class sponsored by the South Coast Educational Collaborative. An avid reader and student of history, she also excelled at Bingo, Rummikub, Black Jack, jigsaw puzzles, and computer word games. To her last days, her goal was to enjoy time with her new friends at Atria and register 1,000 steps daily on her pedometer.
Above all, Elsie’s greatest joy was spending time with her family and friends, remaining keenly interested in everything that was happening in their lives. She was a woman of deep faith who prayed often for everyone she knew and loved.
