Antoinette Ricciardi

Antoinette “Toni” (Rondinone) Ricciardi, Mom, Grammy, Auntie, friend, neighbor, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, April 26 at the age of 88. Toni leaves behind a beautiful legacy that will continue to live through her large family that adored her without bounds. Family and faith were everything to her and we were most influenced by and rooted in her, our matriarch. She loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren all the same- without strings, without rules, without judgment. She welcomed all our spouses in as though they were her own, and loved them because we loved them. She was always surrounded by those who loved her, and she showed you her love all the time- with prayers, calls, handwritten notes. Constantly remembering everyone’s birthdays, special dates, new jobs, sicknesses, random topics we had discussed weeks ago...Asking about our own families, what we were cooking for dinner. She wasn’t afraid to speak her mind, call you out if she thought you were wrong or corner you at a party if she felt you needed straightening out. But regardless of what she thought, it didn’t impact her love for you. Toni was kind, openhearted, and literally saw the good in all people. She lived by herself in the home she loved for almost 15 years, since the love of her life, Frank, passed away, but she was never really alone. She was always busy, going to garden club, church, the senior center, exercise class, lunch with her wonderful neighbors who always took care of her. If you stopped by her house, tea was always served in a formal teapot, her table was always set beautifully, and food was never in short supply. Toni was constantly cooking and baking and her love of Italian food and showing love through food was passed down to her children and grandchildren. It wasn’t uncommon to have a cooking lesson at Grammy’s. Toni lived a wonderful life, full of traveling, shows, events, clam bakes, the beach, the Cape, close friends, neighbors, but mainly, family. She was unbelievably proud of her family and their accomplishments, and would tell anyone willing to listen that her family was stronger, closer, and more loving than others. Her children and grandchildren treated her like a queen, because to us, she was. She was loved by so many people. Toni’s husband and love of her life, Frank, passed away in 2005 after 55 years of marriage. She spoke of Frank often, always saying there would never be another that compared to him. Together Toni and Frank built a life they loved with their family. They lived in Worcester where Toni raised her children and also worked at Jordan Marsh before retiring. In 1994 Toni and Frank moved to South Dennis permanently, after spending summers there for years. Toni was predeceased by her parents, Vincenzo and Fortunata (Piombino) Rondinone, and her siblings, Madeline Inangelo, John Rondinone, Irene Biscotti, Ralph Rondinone, Anna Inangelo, and Mary Johnson. Toni leaves behind her children, Francis “Butch” and his wife Patricia of Shrewsbury, Linda Gazal and her husband Artie of Worcester, Paul and his wife Debbe of Onset, Jimmy and his wife Sharon of Boylston, Annunzia Grilla and her husband Mark of Worcester, and Michael of Sandwich. She is survived by 21 grandchildren: Sheila, Steve, Kim, Lynn, Nicole, Gina, Justin, Nina, Ashley, Santino, Gianno, Marco, Alex, Gena, Jimmy, Lauren, Marina, Sophia, Ty, Sienna & AJ. She also leaves 12 great-grandchildren: Annabella, Nate, Jude, Ryan, Macie, Ava, Sofia, Mason, Rylie, Parker, Dominic & Liliana; and many nieces and nephews. Toni was the last member of her generation of both the Ricciardi and Rondinone families, and will be sorely missed by all that knew her. We will miss her smile, her laugh, her hugs, her love for maple walnut ice cream. The family would like to thank Toni’s neighbors for all their love and support of Toni over the years. She was always so happy to be surrounded by amazing people. Funeral services and burial will be private at this time. There will be a celebration of life service at a later date. Memorial contributions can be made to the West Dennis Garden Club.