Maria F. Ritacco

“Chic”

On the morning of Tuesday, June 10, 2025, Maria F. Ritacco (“Chic”), age 75, beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend passed away peacefully, with her family by her side, in Stony Brook, NY, after a courageous one-year battle with heart failure.

Born on January 18, 1950, in Brooklyn, NY, Maria was the middle child of Edward and Rose (Mattiolo) Badaracco. Known for her vibrant spirit, quick wit, independence and deep devotion to her family, Maria lived a life marked by strength, warmth, and unwavering kindness.

Maria graduated from Half Hollow Hills High School East in Dix Hills, NY, where she was recognized as an outstanding athlete in both softball and field hockey, and honored as “Most Athletic Female” of her class. She went on to attend Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, South Dakota, graduating in 1972. During her college years, Chic was active in many student organizations, class fundraisers, and served as class treasurer. She captained her softball team, fittingly named “Chic’s Champs,” and was chosen as Miss Wesleyan, a testament to the deep respect and affection she earned from classmates and faculty alike.

It was at Dakota Wesleyan that she met the love of her life, Albert J. Ritacco Jr. They married on March 2, 1975, and together shared 50 beautiful years of marriage filled with laughter, loyalty, and love. Maria’s most treasured role was that of a Mother. She raised her two children, Melissa and Joseph, with fierce love, selflessness, and dedication, instilling in them her strength, compassion, and values. After years as a devoted stay-at-home mom, she went on to work as a
teacher aide at Ridge Elementary School and later as a library technician at the Longwood Public Library, where she was a beloved colleague and friend, recently retiring after 25 years of service.

Maria had a deep love for animals and the natural world. She found joy in her garden, in the birds she lovingly fed and watched, and in the many pets who were part of her home through the years.  She was also an avid reader, with a true appreciation for books and stories which enriched her life.  She was an exceptional cook and the heart of countless family gatherings, creating meals and memories that will never be forgotten. Her warmth, creativity, and humor brightened every space she entered.

She will be most remembered for her boundless generosity, joyful laugh, and the way she always put others before herself.  From a young age, Maria was a strong-willed, resilient woman whose tenacity and compassion defined her life. She lived with grace, gave with her whole heart, and always did her very best. She was, and will always be, an inspiration to all who knew and loved her.

Maria is survived by her devoted husband, Albert; her loving children, Melissa (James) Trezza and Joseph Ritacco; her siblings, Edward (Maryann) Badaracco and Kathleen (Donald) Simpson; her nieces, Jennifer (Robert) Perez and Kelly (Matthew) Lento; and many treasured friends whose lives she touched.

“What we once enjoyed we can never lose.  All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.” ~ Helen Keller

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Maria’s memory to the World Wildlife Fund, the National Audubon Society or the Arbor Day Foundation, reflecting her love of animals and nature.