Margaret Ricciardi

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of our mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great grandmother and friend, Margaret DellaBadia Ricciardi, age 109, who died peacefully on November 17, 2023 after a sudden illness.

She was born on March 8, 1914, in Brooklyn, NY, to the late Guiseppe and Filomena DellaBadia. She married Frank Ricciardi on July 11, 1937 and settled on Staten Island, NY, where she and her husband owned Ricciardi’s Shoe Service, a successful shoe repair service and store for many years in the Staten Island Ferry Terminal. They were well-loved pillars of the community and had a loyal following of commuters and locals. Margaret especially delighted their customers with her stylish array of retail shoes and bags, and often played the straight man to Frank’s teasing sense of humor.

Margaret loved life and everything it had to offer her. She had a zest for travelling and relished new experiences, always looking to the next adventure. She also had a passion for socializing and entertaining and gathering with family and friends in the sprawling home she designed and lived in most of her life. She also never missed a party or get together, and always wanted to know “What’s next?”

Margaret found much joy in painting and sculpting. After her retirement from the shoe business in 1983 and Frank’s subsequent passing, she decided to finish her education. In her words, “It’s never too late to follow your dream”. So, at the age of 72, Margaret started her 35+ year career as a professional artist after earning her BA at the City University of New York’s (CUNY) College of Staten Island in 1986. She excelled at both painting and sculpting and then furthered her art studies at the Lorenzo de Medici Art Institute in Florence Italy, and then on to an honorary Doctorate degree at the CUNY College of Staten Island at the notable age of 103, honoring her encouragement and inspiration to hundreds of students as well as her contributions to the arts and lifelong achievements.

Margaret is survived by her loving daughters, Phyllis Erikson, and Frances (Lou) Saraceno, and her grandchildren Laura Erikson, Dana Salazar, Maria Saraceno, Randi Nolan, Gina Saraceno, Francesca Saraceno, Phyllis VanAmburgh, and Frederik Erikson. She also leaves behind her cherished great-grandchildren, Kathryn Sutliff, Elsa Oliva, Beau Piorkowski, Erik Piorkowski, Lauren Nolan, David McDonough, Paul Edward Nolan, Emma Salazar, Grace VanAmburgh, Jack McDonough, Vincent VanAmburgh, Samuel Nolan, Lucas Erikson, Maggie VanAmburgh, Oliver VanAmburgh, Ruby VanAmburgh, Ava Erikson, Adrian Erikson, and remarkably four great-great grandchildren, Luca and Julian Cambria, Bennett Piorkowski and Tallulah Blake. She will also be missed by her nieces Michelle and Diane DiNapoli and her nephews Mark and Joseph DiNapoli. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Frank M. Ricciardi, her sister Lena Bozza, her sister Josephine Dinapoli, her niece and Godchild MaryAnn Frankey, and her Son-in-law Fred Erikson.

Margaret Ricciardi's vibrant spirit and love for life will be remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing her. She will forever hold a special place in the hearts of her family and friends. And remember her favorite piece of advice is “Have fun!”

Visitation hours to honor and celebrate Margaret’s life will be held 2-6 Sunday afternoon on November 19th at the William J. Rockefeller Funeral Home, 165 Columbia Tpk, Rensselaer and 4-7 on Tuesday November 21st at the Harmon Funeral Home, 571 Forest Avenue, Staten Island NY. A funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 Wednesday morning on November 22nd at Our Lady of Good Council Church, 10 Austin Pl, Staten Island NY. Interment will be at St Peter’s Cemetery Staten Island NY on Wednesday, immediately following the Mass.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Frank and Margaret Ricciardi Scholarship in Support of Study Abroad in Italy, College of Staten Island Foundation, Inc., 2000 victory Boulevard, Bldg 1A, Rm 401, Staten Island NY, 10314, which Margaret established in memory of her husband, or to Covenanthouse.org