Alice Lucy (Mustillo) Orabone who had been a resident of Dennis and South Yarmouth, MA and formerly of East Providence, RI passed away peacefully with her daughters by her side on Sunday, March 19, 2023. She was 97 years young. Alice was predeceased by her loving husband Anthony V. Orabone. They would have celebrated 76 years of marriage in August.

Born in Attleboro, MA and was the devoted daughter of Dominic Anthony Mustillo and Lina (Baccari) Mustillo. Alice attended the local schools, graduating from Attleboro High School, Class of 1943 where she was active in music programs. She sang in the glee club, played flute among other instruments in the band and orchestra. She also acted in school plays, earning her superlative, Best Girl Musician. Most of all, Alice was known for her piano playing, as it states in her high school yearbook, “Ten sparkling fingers swishing over the keys.” Alice was extremely talented and gifted.

At the tender age of 11, Alice was a child musical prodigy who was awarded State winner in a piano contest held in Boston by the Federation of Music Clubs. Music became her life and passion however, and she later attended the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, and studied both piano and flute under the tutelage of Charles Laurent. Following her studies , Alice became a music teacher at her mother’s music school specializing in teaching children. Alice was also proficient with several other instruments including, but not limited to the flute, accordion, and xylophone. She was a long-time member of the Chaminade Music Club and played flute in the Wheaton College Community Orchestra in Norton, MA.

Alice’s mother has studied music extensively, and was a famous and highly respected music teacher and performer who’s noteworthy achievements are listed in the Marquis book of “Who’s Who of American Women”. Both Alice and her mother had started their musical careers at an early age. She studied solely with her mother and both artists displayed a rare quality of unity in their interpretation. They became a mother-daughter piano duet team who played at various events, including World War II veteran’s hospitals plus other music clubs and regional events and venues. Their rendition of George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue”, which was regarded as one of the most important American Musical Works of the 20th Century, became their masterpiece. (It was performed as a "piano duo" with both playing on separate pianos, with both wearing blue gowns.) besides music being her life; which she loved; she continued teaching piano and being a voice coach. Her musical talent was undeniable. She worked at Poise 'N Ivy Womans Boutique in Rumford, RI for several years, where she earned salesperson of the month many times during her tenure. Alice also enjoyed gardening, baking, swimming, tennis, and was the badminton champion of the neighborhood. There were many gatherings of “coffee klatsches”; and she could make a great quahog chowder. Other hobbies included were home decorating, theatre, musicals, shopping for antiques and collectibles. She especially enjoyed reading autobiographies and was a prodigious movie buff – The Golden Age of Hollywood – especially a good mystery, detectives, and of course Inspector Clouseau.

Alice appreciated the simple joys of life, and her zest for life with her family and friends was contagious. She always wore a smile and her eyes twinkled and sparkled.

Alice is survived by her caring, and thoughtful two daughters, Debra A. Williams and Claudia J. Orabone both of Hyannis, MA; an attentive and supportive son-in-law, Alberto Shaio of Greenwich, CT; her three very special grandchildren Elizabeth Archibald and her husband Joseph of Ridgefield, CT, Dr. Katherine Sandhu of Greenwich, CT, and Victor Shaio of Greenwich, CT and New York, NY; five beautiful , smart and precious great-grandchildren Lily and Chloe Archibald, and Mateo, Talia and Liana Sandhu. She is also survived by her kindhearted sisters-in-law Patricia A. Jackson of North Marshfield, MA, and Janice Orabone of New Bern, NC. She was also “Aunt Alice” to three notable nephews Joshua Jackson and his family of Merrimac, MA, Lincoln Jackson and his family of West Newbury, MA, and William Orabone, Jr and his family of San Diego, CA; and one niece Wendy Spencer of Essexville, MI. In addition to her parents and husband, Alice was predeceased by her eldest daughter Linda Christine Shaio, her brothers-in-law William E. Orabone, and Geoffrey G. Jackson; also her son-in-law Philip S. Williams.

“ We will deeply miss her. Her smile, her laugh, her music, but most of all as a mother which she excelled at.”

She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who lived her life with devotion to her family and God.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00am on Monday, March 27, 2023 at Our Lady of the Cape Parish 468 Stony Brook Rd, Brewster, MA 02631. Interment will be held at 11:am on Tuesday, March 28 at Saint John's Cemetery in Attleboro.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Alice’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital: PO Box 1000, Dept 142, Memphis, TN 38148 or to Alice’s daughter’s memorial fund to help disadvantaged children and families Linda Shaio Foundation Inc, PO Box 4235, Greenwich, CT 06831.

Dear Debra, Claudia and Family, I am so sorry to learn of Alice’s passing. She was a very special lady. Tony and Alice were a wonderful couple. Tony was a great boss and Alice was always full of life and always so welcoming and made everyone feel special. Although we didn’t see each other often over the years, we kept in touch by phone and through cards and notes. May they both rest in peace. They are together again. My condolences to all the family. Kathi Darigan

Dear Debra and Claudia, Please accept my condolences on your mother’s passing. She was such an accomplished woman; an example of a life well lived. Memories of our small group practices at your home as we readied ourselves for the R.I. Solo & Ensemble Festival under the watchful eye of your mom come back to me. She was very helpful and we knew we were successful when she smiled.