Joan D. Margadonna

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Joan D. Margadonna, aged 87, who departed this life on August 15, 2025, surrounded by her family. Born in Providence, Rhode Island, Joan was the daughter of Ester and Basilico Picerno and the wife of the late J. Robert Margadonna of 60 years.

Joan had many friends and acquaintances and was known for her upbeat and pleasant demeanor as well as her boundless energy. Joan was the quintessential “people person”. Throughout her life, she enjoyed spending time with children and being actively involved in the community. In addition to raising her daughter Lori and son Bob, Joan worked as a kindergarten teacher at Busy Bee nursery school and later as a social worker at the Meadow Lakes Retirement Community in Hightstown, New Jersey where she worked for 12 years before retiring and moving back to Rhode Island to be with family.

During her retirement years, Joan was able to pursue her obvious talent and interest in painting. Bushes, colors, and canvas were more than tools for her, they were extensions of her creative spirit! Her watercolors now adorn the walls of our homes and our hearts. Throughout her retirement years, Joan was a very active member of the Holy Apostles Church where she served as Eucharistic Minister, participated in their bereavement group, and taught religious education in the CCD program for many years. Teaching her first graders brought her immense joy. During this time, Joan also served as a member of the Cranston Adult Day Advisory Board. As a resident at the Village at Waterman Lake Retirement Community, Joan was an energetic and cheerful participant in the many group activities she was involved in, always offering a helping hand to coordinate and recruit for these events.

Joan is survived by her daughter Lori Dulieu and her husband Kevin of Scituate and their children Ryan, Reid, and Alyssa. She is also survived by her son Bob and his wife Hitomi of New Hope, PA and their children Eric and Edward. Joan is also survived by her brother Robert Picerno and his wife Joyce of Boca Raton, FL and she was also the sister of the late Anita O’Brien.

Her funeral and burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Joan’s memory can be made to Hasbro Children’s Hospital by mail at P.O. Box H, Providence, RI 02901 or online at www.brownhealth.org/HCH-giving