Dina Berti Occhi

Dina Berti Occhi was born on August 23, 1927 in Valmozzola, Italy. She was one of six children, and helped raise her younger siblings. During World War II Dina helped her parents run the family mill and aided in the resistance. She supported the Arts and acted in many plays during her teenage years. In her twenties, Dina met her lifelong partner, Ennio "Mario" Occhi and they married. She immigrated to the United States in 1955 while seven months pregnant with her first child, and became a naturalized citizen. In 1957, Dina and her husband established the Valley Inn Restaurant where she remained a partner for the last 60 years. Dina was the corner stone upon which a business and a family were built. She brought up three children and aided in nurturing and raising six grandchildren while working day and night. She was an unconditional caregiver, always ready with a home cooked meal (even if you weren't hungry), a hug and a shoulder to cry on. She brightened the day with her contagious belly laugh, was a protector, comforter, and remained selfless into her 90's. She put her heart and soul into her family and work, refusing to retire from either. Her silent strength and courage made the family business a staple in the community. Dina was a devout Catholic and supporter of the St. Barnabas Parish. She leaves a hole in everyone's heart that will never be filled. She is survived by her son, Joseph Occhi, her daughter, Maryann White, her grandchildren William, Richard, Mario, Matthew, Elizabeth and Michael, her sisters Giulia, Vittora and Elisabeth Berti. She follows her husband Ennio "Mario" Occhi and son, Michael M. Occhi.Calling hours will be held on Friday, December 1, 2017, from 3:00-6:00pm, at the Connors Funeral Home, 55 West Main Road, Portsmouth, RI.A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, December 2, 2017, at 10:00am in St. Barnabas Church, 1697 East Main Rd, Portsmouth, RI, followed by a burial at St. Columba Cemetery.Her celebration of life will be held on Monday, December 4, at 4pm at the Valley Inn Restaurant following Ted White's Funeral. Light refreshments will be provided and all are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers please send memorial donations to the Michael Occhi Scholarship fund. Make checks payable to Central Falls High School, with the scholarship information in the memo box. Cemetery Details St. Columba Catholic Cemetery Brown's Lane Middletown, RI, 02842 Visitation DEC 1. 03:00 PM - 06:00 PM Connors Funeral Home 55 West Main Road Portsmouth, RI, US, 02871 info@memorialfuneralhome.com http://www.connorsfuneralhome.com Mass of Christian Burial DEC 2. 10:00 AM St. Barnabas Catholic Church 1697 East Main Road Portsmouth, RI, US