Beatrice L. Ricciardi

Beatrice L. Ricciardi (née Fratianni), age 93, passed away peacefully at home on January 30, 2026, surrounded by the family she cherished. Born in Pleasantville, NY, Beatrice was the daughter of the late Louis Fratianni and Sarah Adams. Her father, a stonemason who immigrated through Ellis Island, helped build the George Washington Bridge and countless family fireplaces. A testament to the hardworking Italian heritage Beatrice carried with pride. From her mother, she inherited a profound and lifelong devotion to the Virgin Mary. This faith was the cornerstone of her life; Beatrice was a woman of deep prayer who found great peace in attending Mass and was known for her disciplined devotion to the Stations of the Cross every day during Lent. Her childhood was defined by the warmth of a bustling home next door where her grandparents lived, complete with a vegetable garden, a goat, a cow, chickens, fruit trees, and the lively traditions of family and food. Homemade wine, fresh bread and hot peppers always accompanied the meal. She held a deep love for her family and her many dear cousins who she often recalled spending Sundays with alongside her late brother, Edmund. Beatrice’s professional life reflected her curiosity and heart. A graduate of Becker Junior College, she spent 15 years as a medical assistant, immersing herself in her love of science. She later transitioned to a successful career with MetLife, where her genuine nature turned many clients into lifelong friends. In her later years, she found her truest calling in childcare. Whether caring for her own grandchildren or working in nursery schools, Beatrice’s love for children was boundless; she continued this work until the remarkable age of 90. A woman who truly lived life to the fullest, Beatrice was a fixture in New York City’s cultural scene, frequently attending Lincoln Center and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. She was an avid traveler and a meticulous chronicler of life, leaving behind numerous photo albums and journals of her adventures. Nothing, however, captured her spirit, quite like tennis. A player for 52 years, Beatrice was a mainstay at several local tennis clubs and loved hosting her legendary "champagne" tennis parties. Her passion for the game was infectious; she found immense pride in watching her grandson, John, play in high school. To all who shared the court with her: thank you for bringing her so much joy. Beatrice was the loving mother of Mark (Sara) and Heather (Michael), and was predeceased by her beloved son, Paul. She was the treasured grandmother of Benjamin, Sarah, Mary Catherine, Nicholas, Johnathan, Grace, and the late Mark Jr., and the loved great-grandmother of Archie and Malcolm. Service Information: Family and friends are invited to help celebrate her life on Sunday, February 1, at the Volk Leber Funeral Home in Oradell, NJ. Feel free to wear a splash of red, Beatrice’s favorite color. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, February 2 at 10:00 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church in Leonia, NJ. Interment to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery in North Arlington.