Alicia A. Lancellotti Cournoyer

On January 28, 2025, Alicia Lancellotti Cournoyer joined the angels after passing peacefully in Orlando, Florida, following a short illness. She leaves behind a vast community of family, friends, and students who were lucky enough to love and be loved by her.

Alicia grew up on Cadorna Street in East Providence, Rhode Island. As the first-born of many cousins, she was instantly cherished by her entire family and was adored by her parents, Alfred and Robin. Nearly ten years later, she became a loving big sister to Ashley, who idolized Alicia through all of her days. Her childhood was filled with large family gatherings, beach trips, cookouts, mix tapes and boomboxes, MTV, adventures with the neighborhood kids, Rocky Point, weekends in Cape Cod, shopping trips with her mom, sister, and aunty, big Italian dinners, vacations to Walt Disney World, laughter, and—above all else—boundless love.

She graduated from East Providence High School in 1994, attended the University of Rhode Island, and earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Rhode Island College. While at URI, she was a member of the Alpha Xi Delta sorority—and had plenty of legendary stories to share about those days (if you know, you know).

She met her future husband, Steve, at URI through their dear friend Ed Lombardo. Little did she know that years later, Steve would become the love of her life and her best friend. They began dating in 2001 and were married on June 23, 2007. For nearly 25 years, Alicia and Steve built a life filled with adventure, laughter, and unconditional love.Their song, “God Only Knows” by The Beach Boys, was one of Alicia’s favorites—a perfect reflection of their deep commitment to each other. Their relationship was a celebration—of love, of friendship, and of the pure delight of being in each other’s company. They loved going to concerts to see their favorite musicians (Billy Joel, Guns N' Roses, Dave Matthews Band, and Elton John to name a few) and cheered passionately for the New England Patriots. They hosted intense High Low Jack games (she was vicious), threw dazzling holiday parties complete with epic antipasti from Tony’s Colonial, and explored the world side by side.

Alicia was effortlessly beautiful—with big blue eyes and a joyful smile. She never just got dressed—she arrived. She had an eye for style, an affinity for bright colors (yellow being her favorite), and a profound love for fashion, resulting in a closet that could rival any boutique. Alicia never met a dress she didn’t love and always showed up in a full kit, looking fabulous. A natural beauty, she even briefly modeled, walking local runways and showcasing the latest ‘90s fashions in department store windows. But her love of shopping wasn’t just for herself—Alicia was a generous gift-giver, always finding the perfect present simply because she saw it and thought of you.

Alicia loved life—every little joy, every big adventure, and every moment of fun in between. She’d find any excuse to book a hotel stay—especially if it had a great pool—even if it was just for a cozy retreat from a snowstorm. She had a deep love for the beach, basking in the sun for hours (returning home with an enviable tan), and was surprisingly outdoorsy, getting her hands dirty quahogging or casting a fishing line. She spent countless days at Sand Hill Cove with friends, enjoying a cheeseburger—often under attack from seagulls—and laughing as she tried to fend them off. She loved climbing the jetty, searching for crabs with the kids, and how the saltwater left her hair with effortlessly gorgeous beach waves.

She had an insatiable love for music, especially Madonna, and never got tired of telling the story of her Material Girl performance that helped her sorority win the Greek Week Lip Sync Contest. Some of her favorite movies include Star Wars (she had a lifelong obsession with Princess Leia and Han Solo), Spielberg classics like Jaws, ET, and The Goonies, anything with Molly Ringwald or Leonardo DiCaprio, and Grease—once performing the entire show in a poodle skirt, full commitment, full Alicia, at 19 years old with her sister Ashley and Heather Mello (and yes, there is video evidence). She had a soft spot for animals, too, and was always a little annoyed that her health kept her from having a dog or a pet pig (because of course, Alicia wouldn’t settle for just a dog—she wanted a potbellied pig). She even treated her large array of plants like well-loved family members (especially Planty, the orange tree that started as a seedling from Epcot).

And then there was the food—because Alicia loved the good things in life. Oysters, prosciutto, filet mignon, beef carpaccio, lobsters (ideally from Champlin’s in Point Judith)—she had great taste. Nighttime dessert snacks were a lifelong tradition—best enjoyed in bed with a glass of milk. She believed in ending the day on a sweet note.

Above all, Alicia loved children. She spent over 20 years as an educator, beginning as Camp Director at Agawam Hunt Club in Rumford. She then taught middle school English at Holy Ghost School and St. Bartholomew’s in Providence before nurturing her youngest students as a preschool teacher at Little Learners Academy in Johnston and later in Cranston. She was the kind of teacher kids never forgot—the one who made them feel safe, special, and truly seen.

Her colleagues knew her as a dedicated, compassionate, and irreplaceable part of the team. At Little Learners, where she spent the majority of her career, Alicia became a beloved fixture, forming deep connections with families and shaping the lives of countless children. She taught so many over the years and had a heart big enough to hold them all. Her legacy lives on in the students who adored her, each carrying a little of the warmth, joy, and love she so freely gave, long after they left her classroom.

In February of 2024, Alicia and Steve moved to Orlando, Florida, to be closer to three of her greatest loves: her sister Ashley, the sunshine, and, of course, Walt Disney World. She adored all things Disney, especially the Epcot ball, and never outgrew the magic of it all. She lived like a Disney princess—leaving a little trail of pixie dust and joy everywhere she went. Disney was her happy place—and she brought it home with her. So much so that the guest room in their Cranston home was famously called “The Disney Room,” complete with a set of Mickey ears for every occasion. 

Alicia lit up a room—not just with her beauty, but with the warmth and joy she brought to those around her. A rare soul, she didn’t have a mean bone in her body—only kindness, laughter, and a fierce love for her family and friends. She will be remembered as a gentle, sensitive spirit with a sharp wit, a big, infectious laugh, and an ageless charm—the girl you wanted to sit next to, be friends with, and be loved by. She was a true gift to this world, and her love and light will shine brightly in the hearts of all who knew her forever.

She is survived by her loving husband, Steve Cournoyer; her devoted father, Alfred Lancellotti; her beloved sister, Ashley Lancellotti, and sister-in-law, Alexandra McVetty; her maternal grandmother, Josephine Levye; her aunts and uncles, Leslie Pollan and Dr. Francis Sullivan, and Stephen and Jeanie Lancellotti; her cousin, Marc Lancellotti; her in-laws, Andy and Kathy Cournoyer; her sister-in-law, Michelle Girasole, and her husband, Rich; and her cherished niece and nephew, Jessie and Nicholas Girasole.

She is reunited in heaven with her first and greatest love, her mother, Robin Lancellotti (1953-2009), her grandparents Carlotta, Joseph, and Robert, and her Uncle Mitchell, who surely welcomed her with open arms—and, without a doubt, have wrapped her up in infinite love.

Alicia left this world with an unwavering belief in the divine, finding messages of love in all forms—especially in birds (robins in particular), butterflies, and even the gentle sway of a palm tree in the breeze.

In her honor, memorial donations may be made to your favorite charity. But her sister has another suggestion—treat yourself to a bouquet of the prettiest yellow flowers you can find, any variety will do, and place them in a sunny spot, knowing she’s smiling down and enjoying them right alongside you.

Now is the time. Now is the best time. Now is the best time of your life.  Life is a prize—live every minute. Open your eyes and watch how you win it.

Yesterday's memories may sparkle and gleam. Tomorrow is still but a dream.

Right here and now you've got it made. The world's forward marching, and you're in the parade.

Now is the time. Now is the best time. Be it a time of joy or strife.

There's so much to cheer for. Be glad you're here, for it's the best time of your life.

"The Best Time of Your Life" – The Sherman Brothers

Theme song from Carousel of Progress at Magic Kingdom (1974–1994)

Friends are invited to visit with the family on Thursday, February 6, 2025, from 5-8pm at REBELLO FUNERAL HOME, 901 Broadway, East Providence. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow on Friday, February 7, 2025, at 10am at Our Lady of Loreto Church, 346 Waterman Ave, East Providence. Her burial will be private. www.rebellofuneralhomes.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Alicia A. Lancellotti Cournoyer, please visit our floral store.