Kathleen "Kathy" Joyce Palagi (Lambert), 82, of Lincoln, passed away peacefully on April 2, 2026.

Kathy was the beloved wife of Richard "Dick" Palagi. Known to many as "the magic couple," their love story began more than 61 years ago at Almacs. Kathy stopped in to buy tomato juice and Dick, stocking shelves at the time, made his best sales pitch for a bottle of V8. With a little persistence on his part, she left with the V8 and soon after joined him at Kip's Restaurant in Pawtucket for their first date. They returned there every year for their anniversary, often in matching sweatshirts, celebrating a lifetime of love and lots of laughter.

Raised in Central Falls, Kathy was the daughter of the late Catherine Adamonis. She was the sister of the late Dorothy "Dotty" Lambert, Pauline Brennan, and Charles "Charlie" Lambert. Kathy faced no shortage of challenges in her childhood, but she always spoke with gratitude of the nuns at St. Cecelia's, whose kindness and quiet understanding helped a young girl whose inner light could never be dimmed.

Kathy lived her life with a simple and powerful mission: to share that light with others. There was rarely a day that passed without her brightening someone's life, whether it was her family, the patients she cared for after going back to school to become an RN, or a complete stranger she struck up a conversation within the pharmacy line. And when words weren't enough, music filled the space. From Johnny Mathis and Elvis to the McGuire Sisters and The Sound of Music, Kathy had a song for every moment, and she loved to sing them. Even as Alzheimer's began to take her memory, music remained a bridge back to herself, rekindling the light that defined her.

Kathy also shared her light and her love through knitting. There are few among her family, friends, and friends of friends who don't have a Kathy Palagi creation: a baby blanket, an eyelash yarn scarf, or another handmade treasure. She learned to knit from her Babcia who immigrated from Poland. Kathy proudly carried on her memory not only through knitting, but also by embracing the name "Babcia," a title she wore with love. She brought that spirit into her kitchen as well, where she was known for making some of the best golumpki, kielbasa, and potato pancakes around.

Kathy's light shined brightest during her annual Christmas day gatherings. Her home became a revolving door of loved ones, filled with laughter, music, and the unmistakable feeling of being welcomed, no matter who you were. From her elaborate, coded gift-tag system—ensuring no one could guess their presents before it was time—to the countless traditions she created, Kathy devoted her life to making memories that will live on in all who knew her.

Kathy is survived by her son David and his wife Lesley, her daughter Christine Federspiel (Palagi); her niece Lynda Thompson, and her three cherished grandchildren, Andrea Palagi, and Courtney and Macy Federspiel, whom she loved more than words, or songs, could ever express.

As Julie Andrews once sang, "I simply remember my favorite things, and then I don't feel so bad." These are just a few of our favorite things about Kathy Palagi.

The family will honor Kathy's life privately. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to the Alzheimer's Association of Rhode Island, in hopes of finding a cure for the disease that ultimately took Kathy's life, but never her light.

ONLINE MEMORIAL: jjduffyfuneralhome.com