Maria C. Ricciotti

Maria C. (Marinucci) Ricciotti passed peacefully on the morning of Friday, August 9, 2024 at home, surrounded by her loving family, while listening to her favorite music.
Born in Sulmona, L'Aquila (Abruzzi), Italy on March 6, 1935, Maria was the daughter of the late Antonio and Maria Annina (Leone) Marinucci.
In 1954, Maria married the love of her life, the late Filippo Ricciotti, and after he emigrated, she joined him in Australia, where they started a new life, and their family. Maria was the personification of strength which her family was built upon.
An expert seamstress, dressmaker, and designer, Maria worked in the clothing industry. She was able to create any garment, usually without a pattern, and was an expert, not just in women's clothing, but in men's fashion, too.
In Australia, Maria not only embraced a new country and culture, but she taught herself to read and write English via her tiny Italian/English dictionary. If the word wasn't in the dictionary, it didn't exist!
In 1972, Maria and family moved to Providence, where she worked for Roberts Manufacturing, India Imports, among others, including the fur department at Cherry & Webb. Maria was a true artiste.
Up until recently, Maria read the daily paper from front to back, and knew more about what was happening in her community, state, country, and world than a room full of academics; and could discuss anything and everything with anyone – from the youngest member of the family, to judges.
Apart from her family, Maria took great pride in her garden. Originally, she had a vegetable garden (the envy of the neighborhood), with room for an exquisite flower garden. In later years, this was converted to a flower garden, and people from the neighborhood would stop by to look at it with joy. She could grow anything!
Needless to say, Maria was the best cook around, and her pizzelle were awaited in eager anticipation by everyone lucky enough to receive a special tray. If anyone happened to drop by the Ricciotti household during supper-time, they were required to sit and eat with us, even if they weren't hungry. And they enjoyed every bite. She was everyone's honorary Nonna.
Our wonderful Mother and Nonna will be missed, continuing to live on in our hearts holding hands with her beloved Filippo for eternity. Not just by us, but by anyone who had the good fortune to know her, and to know the loving, graceful, stylish person she was.
Maria is survived by her children, Anna Ricciotti and Antonella Ricciotti, and her grandson, Philipp Ricciotti; and by her sister Lucia Allega (late Gino Allega) of Sulmona, Italy; brother Sante Marinucci (late Francesca Bertoldi Marinucci) of Cranston; brother Peter Marinucci (Liliana) of Providence; and, Rosina Misuraca (Paolo) of Johnston, plus numerous nieces and nephews.
Her funeral will begin, Friday, August 16 at 8:30 a.m. from the "WOODLAWN" Funeral Home, 600 Pontiac Ave., Cranston, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. in Holy Apostles Church, Cranston. Burial will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Providence. VISITATION will take place Thursday, August 15, from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. in the "WOODLAWN" Funeral Home, relatives and friends are invited to attend.
Please share memories at www.WoodlawnRI.com