After a valiant and determined battle with cancer, Kathleen (Arnau) Cicilline passed away on May 26th 2016 at the Arnau family cottage in Narragansett RI with family members at her side. Born in Pelham, NY, she was the daughter of the late Jean (O’Neil) and the late William Arnau. She made Newport her home in 1968.
Kathy is survived by her loving children: Joseph (Leslie): Kristin Rojas (Augusto): Paul (Melissa): Beth O’Brien (Cathal): Jennifer Vidotto (Kirk): Amy Lynch (Michael). She is also survived by her most cherished 12 grandchildren: Nicholas, Marcus, Austin and Madison Rojas; Sophie and Stella O’Brien; Matthew and Katy Lynch; Talia Cicilline; Francesca and Elisabetta Vidotto and Joseph Cicilline. She was the former wife of J. Clement Cicilline of Newport. She also leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and many very dear friends, notably Eileen Dufault, Pat Davis, Noel Bopp and Candy Montalto.
Kathy was the oldest of 7 other siblings: the late Jeanne (Gigi) Mellow, William Arnau, Susan Belcher, John Arnau, James Arnau, Kim Scalisi and Miriam Auer.
A graduate of Pelham High School, Kathy worked as a telephone operator for AT&T in White Plains, New York. She was also a devoted homemaker and care taker for teachers children before becoming a para professional at Thompson. She was a parishioner and CCD instructor at St. Joseph’s Church in Newport for many years. She was an ardent Yankees and Frank Sinatra fan.
Kath was an extremely caring, generous, vibrant, compassionate, and sensitive person with a keen sense of humor and a fierce loyalty to family and friends. She was the proverbial “life of the party” at any social gathering. No one was a stranger for very long in her company. At one time, she was known as the “Barefoot Contessa” because she went shoeless all around town. Most people who knew Kathy we aware that her favorite thing was sitting in the sun and sand at Second Beach in Middletown with family and friends. Her love for the ocean was both ethereal and profound. It was always a time of rejoicing and refreshment for her. Another favorite place was “The Cottage” in Narragansett, RI where she spent her summers in her youth with her New York family. She would return there many times over to recreate the magic of another oceanside community.
Kathy leaves behind many fond memories and said that she was most grateful for the support and prayers that she received during her illness. Much appreciation is expressed to her many caregivers who always were ready to help her.
Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, June 1, 2016, from 4:00-7:00pm, in the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport.
Her funeral will be held on Thursday, June 2, at 9:00am, from the Memorial Funeral Home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00am, in St. Joseph’s Church, Broadway and Mann Avenue, Newport.
Her burial will follow at St. Columba Catholic Cemetery, Brown’s Lane, Middletown.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Kathy’s memory to Saint Vincent DePaul Society C/O St. Joseph’s Church, Broadway and Mann Avenue, Newport, RI 02840, or to Hudner Oncology, C/O St. Anne’s Hospital, 795 Middle Street, Fall River, MA 02721.
