Marlene A. (Ciabattoni) DaBaldo

Marlene A. DaBaldo, 79, of Middletown, DE, passed away while surrounded by family on Thursday, April 23, 2020.

She was predeceased by her parents, Michael J. Ciabattoni, Sr. and Mary (Bove) Ciabattoni, and her brother Armand J. Ciabattoni.

After graduating from Wilmington High School, Marlene worked as a legal secretary in Wilmington. She then joined Columbia Gas Company, and rose to the position of supervisor of the stockholder services department. Marlene left Columbia Gas to open her own business, Packaging Plus, in Newark, DE. Marlene’s personal life was very full as well, she was the President of the local chapter of Parents without Partners, where she met her husband, Paul and earned the nickname “Mo”.

Marlene enjoyed antiquing and had an innovative eye for decorating. She and Paul loved to travel and enjoyed cruises. In her younger days, she was an avid tennis player and loved to ski. Above all this, she was a dedicated daughter, sister, wife, mother, and grandmother who always put family first. Marlene gave of herself as a caregiver to her Uncle John, Aunt Elsie, her mother and father and literally saved her husband Paul’s life when he had a stroke in 2018. She was diagnosed with Primary Lateral Sclerosis (PLS), a hybrid of ALS, in 1992. PLS slowly deteriorated her physical being, but it couldn’t diminish her spirit or dampen her desire to assist and care for others.

Survivors include her husband of 30 years, Paul DaBaldo Jr., children, Staci (Darrell) Lewis of Smyrna, Scott (Theresa) Ciabattoni of Wilmington, Paul J. (Betty Jane) DaBaldo of Wilmington, Michelle (Jeff) Smith of Middletown, and her grandchildren, Emily, Madison, Julia, Dorothy, Mason, and Valerie.

In these uncertain times, interment will be held at the Veteran’s Cemetery in Bear, DE at a date yet to be determined. The family wishes to thank those who have reached out during this difficult time and Bayada Hospice for their care of Marlene over the last 12 weeks.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to St. Margaret of Scotland Roman Catholic Church, 2431 Frazer Road, Newark, DE 19702 as an expression of sympathy.

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