Marilyn Ardente Obituary

Marilyn Ciccone Ardente, 92, a lifelong resident of Providence, Rhode Island, and the heart of a large, loving family, passed away peacefully on May 29th, 2025 at home. Beloved wife of the late Ernest Ardente, Marilyn was the devoted mother of four sons, as well as the proud grandmother to ten and great-grandmother to six.
Born the second of four children to Pasquale and Emma Ciccone, Marilyn was an ardent believer of the importance of family. She was a loving sibling to sisters Gloria Grieco (deceased) and Patricia Tirico, and her brother Arthur Ciccone (deceased). From a young age, she was surrounded by the boundless attention and love from both her parents and many aunts, who helped mold her into the strong, independent woman she became. It was her tenacity that caught Ernie's eye in 1948 when they met at Mount Pleasant High School and married soon after in 1954. Their love blossomed into a vibrant family and she was a fervently devoted wife and mother. Similar to her aunts, whom she was so fond of as a child, Ernie supported and adored her endlessly, a love that endured even after his passing. Marilyn often reflected that every beautiful sunset from their homes in Providence and Jamestown was a gift from her loving husband. True to her spirit, as she never wanted to miss a celebration with those she loved, Marilyn was reunited with the love of her life on what would have been their 71st wedding anniversary.
Marilyn will be remembered for her strength, determination, fearlessness, and grit as she rose from humble beginnings to become an accomplished businesswoman and property owner, as well as a formidable bridge player earning the ACBL rank of Gold Life Master, a skilled golfer and RIGA State Champion, and an avid supporter of the arts. She was also an active member of Alpine Country Club, The Hope Club, Metacomet Country Club, and The Bridge Club of RI.
Those who knew Marilyn know the only time she could be found sitting was while enjoying a meal with her friends and family or playing a game of bridge. Marilyn's energy knew no bounds. She kept her calendar overbooked and let nothing stand in her way. Besides her friends and family, Marilyn's driving force in life was her passion for travel, music, and entertaining. Throughout her adult life, Marilyn could be found traversing one of the continents with her friends or family, or whoever could keep up! Travel was one of her greatest joys, and she never missed an opportunity to share her stories-vivid, heartfelt, and always full of charm-with anyone lucky enough to be within earshot.
Marilyn was also an enthusiastic patron of the arts. She could often be found attending concerts or musicals, the songs of which she would carry in her heart and sing aloud in her beautiful voice for years on end. In fact, when Marilyn threw her fabulous parties, she would frequently hire a pianist or Opera singer and perch herself alongside to sing the tunes for her lucky guests. Marilyn was notorious for her hospitality and her doors remained open to all, at any time.
During the last few months of her life, Marilyn did not allow herself to be held back by her ailing health. She characteristically kept herself busy entertaining a constant stream of visitors, with her sister Patricia (Patsy) by her side. She reveled in the additional time with her ever-growing family and cherished the chance to revisit the many happy chapters of her life, finding joy in the precious time spent with others. Marilyn, who spent 92 full and vibrant years in motion - rarely resting, never bored - is now granted the rest and quiet she so seldom allowed herself in life and has so earnestly earned.
Marilyn is survived by her devoted family, who will carry forward her love and memory. She leaves behind her sons Mark (Christina), Evan (Heather), Paul (Lisa) and Bruce. She also leaves behind ten grandchildren: Michael, David, Andrew, Alexander, Nathaniel, Zachary, Dane, Lily, Luke, and Blake. She is also survived by six great-grandchildren: Camilla, James, Rory, Casey, Hailey and Michael.
Relatives and friends are invited to meet directly at St. Sebastian Church, 67 Cole Ave, Providence, at 9:45 a.m. for Words of Remembrance prior to her Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 3, 2025. Graveside burial will follow in St. Ann Cemetery, Cranston. Calling hours are respectfully omitted.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to support Rhode Island PBS are greatly appreciated by Marilyn's family. Rhode Island PBS, 50 Park Lane, Providence, RI, 02907.
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