Community Activist Janice Luongo Dies at 75

Community Activist Janice Luongo Dies at 75

Janice Luongo, 75, passed away after a sudden illness, on May 12, 2026. At the center of Janice’s life was her beloved wife and partner of 35 years, Annmarie (“Annie”) Simoli, with whom she built a life filled with profound love, laughter, creativity, and resilience.

She also leaves behind her beloved aunts and uncles , Rita and Al Poli and Anne Caldarella; and her brother Thomas; cousins; extended family; dear friends; colleagues; and the many communities she touched through her advocacy and work.

There was rarely any mystery about where Janice stood. When she had something to say — whether about injustice, community, love, politics, or life itself — she said it plainly, honestly, and often "memorably."

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Janice believed deeply in community and coalition-building from her early days at Smith Hill Center to her most recent collaboration with Better Lives RI, and as the Editor in Chief of Street Sights, Rhode Island’s only homeless magazine. Through her advocacy work, and through the countless relationships she nurtured, she brought people together and helped build networks of care, dignity, and action.

Janice had what her grandmother lovingly called “a heart of gold.” Those who knew her understood that her generosity was never performative — it was simply who she was.

She loved deeply, spoke honestly, and remained fiercely devoted to the people and causes she cared about. Her absence leaves an immeasurable space in the lives of those who loved her and in the communities she helped strengthen throughout her life.

A memorial gathering celebrating Janice’s life will be held on Thursday, May 21, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Maceronni Funeral Home, 1381 Smith St., North Providence.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Janice’s memory may be made to Better Lives Rhode Island.