Cecelia M. (DelPadre) Falcone

It's one of those classic love stories. Girl meets boy, and they live happily ever after.

Cecelia M. Falcone (DelPadre), who died October 17, was a teenager when she met Henry on a blind date. They wrote love letters to one another while Henry served in the U.S. Marine Corps, but Cecelia's father wouldn't let her marry until she turned 20. As a result, the couple married on April 11, 1953—just one day after her 20th birthday.

"I've been going with Henry for quite a while," Cecelia recently said. If there was ever an understatement, that would be it. In April 2019, the couple celebrated 66 years of marriage. Throughout the years, they were inseparable, building a life that many only dream of. They had three children, five grandchildren, two great grandchildren and several granddogs. They were there for each other during life's ups and downs, frequently stealing a dance or a kiss and holding hands.

Henry and Cecelia hosted annual Christmas Eve celebrations at their long-time Cranston home. They had a large, close-knit social circle—friends who were always treated as extended family. Henry and Cecelia loved to travel and specifically enjoyed vacationing in Old Orchard Beach, Maine; New Hampshire; Las Vegas and St. Petersburg, Fla. They also enjoyed many trips to Walt Disney World with family.

In her final days, Henry still held Cecelia's hand as they watched the Hallmark Channel at their home at Greenwich Farms in Warwick. He sacrificed his cookies for her to make sure she ate, rarely left her sight and described her as a "trooper" as her health declined.

Cecelia, 86, died with the love of her life by her side.

In addition to Henry, Cecelia is survived by her children: Joanne Crepeau (Tom); Richard Falcone (Mary); and Lori Michaelson (Michael). She is also survived by her grandchildren: Amanda Falcone; Amy Floody (Ryan); Shane Falcone; Robert Michaelson (Amber); and Zachary Falcone. She leaves two great grandchildren, Connor and Max.

Cecelia was predeceased by her parents, Michael and Cecelia DelPadre, and her siblings, Joan Manzo and Michael DelPadre.

Cecelia will be greatly missed by all who knew her. She loved playing bingo and KENO, bowling, hanging out with “the gang” and was a regular at restaurants like Chelo’s and Twin Oaks. She was a fan of both the New England Patriots and the Boston Red Sox, always kept a fully stocked kitchen and made sure that she was always put together. Her nails were perfectly manicured, her clothes and jewelry matched and a hair was never out of place.

Her funeral will be held on Monday at 8:45 a.m. from the NARDOLILLO FUNERAL HOME & Crematory, 1278 Park Ave., Cranston followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St. Mark’s Church, Cranston.  Burial will follow in St. Ann Cemetery, Cranston.  VISITING HOURS are Sunday from 3 – 7 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Cecelia’s name can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 245 Waterman Street, Suite 306, Providence, RI 02906.