Eugenia Meloro, 79, of Portsmouth, RI, passed away peacefully at her home on July 20, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family.
Born on December 1, 1946, in Newark, NJ, Eugenia—affectionately known as G—was the daughter of Theodore and Catherine Poletis. She graduated from Middletown Township High School, Middletown NJ in 1965 and later earned an associate’s degree from Tusculum University in Tennessee. After college, she married the love of her life, Lorenzo, and together they built a beautiful life in New Jersey, raising their three children. G and Lorenzo shared 57 devoted years of marriage.
While raising her family, G taught dance—one of her greatest joys—and volunteered as both a Boy Scout and Girl Scout leader. She cherished time spent with family above all else. Whether visiting relatives in New Jersey or traveling to Bagnoli Irpino, Italy, to be with her in-laws and extended family, she delighted in every gathering. She loved cooking and baking for those she loved, and her tomato sauce, olives, Greek cookies, biscotti, wine, and limoncello became treasured family favorites. Her annual holiday cookie baking tradition with her nieces was one of her most joyful rituals.
Always eager to learn, G later completed several computer science certificates at Brookdale Community College, where she also worked in Computer Technology. She spent additional years working alongside Lorenzo in his barbershop, a time they both treasured. After retiring, G and Lorenzo moved to Portsmouth, RI, to be closer to family.
Family was the center of her world, and she poured her heart into every relationship. Eugenia is survived by her devoted husband, Lorenzo Meloro of Portsmouth, RI; her son Vincent Meloro and his wife Virginia of Sarasota, FL; her daughter Genia Kirwin and her husband James of Newport, RI; and her daughter Phyllis Lynch and her husband Christopher of Jamestown, RI. She is also survived by her brothers, James Poletis of Vero Beach, FL, and Peter Poletis of Ocean, NJ. She leaves behind her cherished grandchildren—Patrick Kirwin, Katie Kirwin, Kendra Kirwin, and Nathaniel Meloro—who brought her endless joy, as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews in the United States and Italy.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Theodore, and Catherine Poletis; her sister, Adrianne Duda; and her father and mother in law, Vincenzo and Filomena Meloro.
Eugenia’s life was defined by love, learning, and devotion to her family and friends. Her memory will remain a blessing to all who knew her.
Visiting hours will be held on Sunday, July 26, 2026, from 3:00–5:00pm at O’Neill Hayes Funeral Home, 465 Spring St, Newport. Graveside committal service will take place on Monday, July 27, 2026, at 10:00am, St. Columba Cemetery, 465 Browns Ln, Middletown.
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