Marie D. Ciotola, age 76, of Newark, DE passed away surrounded by her family on May 22, 2024.

A native of Wilmington, Marie was the daughter of the late Katherine (Carney) and James Durnan.  At the time, her parents were living with her maternal grandparents, Nanna and Daddy Clem, in their third floor apartment. Jim was building a house for his family in Elsmere, next to his parents and Marie's other grandparents, Mamma and Pappa. Marie attended St. Joes on The Brandywine Grade School and Corpus Christi School in her youth.  She graduated from Dickenson High School in 1965, where she played basketball and was a flag twirler. She was a member of CYO sports at St. Catherine of Siena, and her dad was a coach. This is when her love of basketball began.

Her dream was to become a Registered Nurse, so she attended the Nursing School of Wilmington. Marie loved the Operating Room. It only made sense that she went on to Anesthesia School at the Wilmington Medical Center where she became a Nurse Anesthetist. She absolutely loved her job, the excitement of the Operating Room, running to a code blue, or running to the Emergency Room for a trauma. It was perfect for her.

As a young adult, she lived in Lancaster Village also known as "Carney Village" to the family. At one time she had an aunt, brother, sister, and four cousins living there! We have many fond memories from  "The Village". Then Marie met the man of her dreams, Anthony Ciotola. They married and moved to Wisconsin where their firstborn, Megan, entered the world. After a few years, the three moved to Austin, Texas and three became four, when Erin was born. With the family complete, life's adventures took them to Plano, Texas. Texas brought the family many happy memories and lots of friends, but after many years away, Tony, Marie, and the girls made their way back to the East Coast, to be closer to their families. Annapolis, MD was their new home. Life was filled with nature, and boating was a fun family hobby on the Magathy River and Chesapeake Bay. Finally, when circumstances allowed, the family ended up back in Delaware, in their current home, in Corner Ketch. Marie has two grandsons whom she is very proud of, Jaden and Samuel. She was active in their lives and watched as they grew into young men.

Marie was an avid reader, loved the beach and the shore, good with plants, (unlike her mother "The black thumb"), a seamstress (like her mother), crafter, bird watcher, especially Hummingbirds, she cooked lots of wonderful things, and prayed the rosary almost daily. She said that "Three Hail Mary's prayed for someone who had passed on, will get them into heaven" so, I will always pray three!!! Marie was known for her good humor, sharp wit, and kind and loving nature. We will miss your warm smile and your loving heart, Marie. You will forever be in our hearts. Until we meet again, may God keep you in the palm of his hand.

Marie is survived by her husband of 45 years, A. Anthony Ciotola; her daughters, Erin and Megan Ciotola; her grandchildren, Jaden, Samuel, and Rosie; her siblings, Jimmy Durnan (Karen Monaco), Jeffrey Durnan, Patrick (Donna) Durnan, and Kathy Edge; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family.

The family wishes to thank the caring staff from Delaware Hospice and the consummate professionals on 6E at Christiana Hospital Newark who cared for her during her illness.

A visitation will be held at St. Joseph on the Brandywine Catholic Church, 10 Old Church Road Wilmington, DE 19807, on Saturday June 8th 2024 from 10 A.M to 11:30 A.M. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:30 A.M. Burial will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions in her name to Giuseppe Verdi Club, 11 Berkshire Ct., Wilmington DE, 19807