Louisa Axelrod

Louisa Jo Axelrod (née Cannarozzi) died on Mother’s Day, May 12, 2024, at her home in Missoula, Montana. She was 79. Louisa, “Skeeter,” Mom, and Mimi will be missed and remembered.  

Louisa was born in Akron, Ohio on February 28,1945 into a large Italian-American family that soon moved to Middletown, Rhode Island to run a family business. She attended Rogers High School, Rhode Island College, and Boston State College where she received an advanced degree in teaching. Known as “Skeeter” in her childhood, she maintained lifelong friends from all aspects of her life.  

Louisa dedicated her life to the care and education of children, first as a teacher in Chelsea, Massachusetts. In Boston, she was introduced by a mutual friend to her future husband of 50 years, Paul Axelrod. Moving to Wellesley, Paul and Louisa started a family and forged lifelong friendships. Louisa continued as an elementary school teacher until retirement, when she then dedicated her energy to being “Mimi” to her five grandchildren. The lure of grandchildren prompted a move to Missoula, MT; though she remained a New Englander at heart.  

Louisa loved the beaches of Rhode Island, reading, arranging flowers (especially hydrangeas and calla lilies), Italian food, the music of Yo-Yo Ma (seeing him perform most recently in February & September 2023), a print copy of The New York Times and a strong cup of Earl Grey. She was incredibly organized and embodied good manners, etiquette and punctuality. She enjoyed writing (and receiving!) well crafted, handwritten thank-you notes on personalized stationery. She taught us to avoid Christmas wreaths on cars, cursing, leaving kitchen cabinet doors ajar, and junk drawers.  

Louisa is preceded in death by her parents, Anne and Walter Cannarozzi.  

Louisa will be missed and remembered by family and friends in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Missoula, and beyond. She is survived by her husband, Paul Axelrod of Missoula; son, David Axelrod (Jessica) of Menlo Park, CA; and daughter, Elizabeth Stegmaier (John) of Missoula. Her grandchildren will miss their Mimi: Julia, Noah, & Wyatt Axelrod and Sunny Louisa & Warren Stegmaier. She is survived by her siblings Frances Babcock (Bryan), Michael Cannarozzi (Kimmy), Roseanne Cox (Hugh), her Aunt Rita LoPresti, her Uncle Robert Cannarozzi, and her nieces and nephews.  

A memorial will take place on June 24, 2024 in Newport, RI. For details on Louisa's memorial, please visit and RSVP here: https://pp.events/aj59qJd0

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Missoula Humane Society