Barbara A. (Iacoi) Hadden

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Barbara A. (Iacoi) Hadden peacefully passed away September 16, 2013 at Landmark Medical Center. She was 88.

She was born on February 9, 1925 in Westerly, Rhode Island, the youngest of five first-generation American children of the late Giuseppe and Angelina (Celestino) Iacoi, hard-working immigrants from Calabria, Italy. Barbara was a 1943 graduate of Westerly High School, then worked at the Westerly Town Clerk’s office, where she first met her husband, Edward J. Hadden, then of Providence. They married on June 26, 1948, and together raised three boys in Cranston and, starting in 1950, Warwick, until Edward’s untimely death in 1975.

For many years, Barbara managed the household, and then returned to the work force as the children grew older. She became active as a secretary and administrative assistant for several prominent physicians in Providence, and later for Microfibers, Inc. in Pawtucket. Widowed at a youthful age 50, she nonetheless became strong and self-sufficient during her 38 years as a widow, and was a fine example of stubborn independence for the new, emerging generation. In her later years, she became a trusted and loving caregiver for youths of varied ages. She was known as an excellent cook, particularly of Italian cuisine, which she prepared with remarkable speed and skill and always served with love. Personally, she was the most loving and lovable person many of her friends and family knew. She was, for decades, a devoted member and supporter of St. Peter Church in Warwick.

Barbara is also survived by her three sons and their wives: Douglas E. Hadden and wife, Michele, of North Smithfield, William J. Hadden and wife, Jacqueline of Calabasas, California, and Mark C. Hadden and wife, Janice, also of North Smithfield. She is also survived by four grandchildren: Evelyn Hadden (27) of Austin, Texas; Julia Hadden (23) of Houston, Texas; and Justin (13) and Alexandra Hadden (11) of Calabasas, Calif. Barbara was the sister of Sara (Iacoi) Serra, currently of Westerly; and of the late James Iacoi, Pasquale Iacoi and Julio Iacoi. She also leaves her sister-in-law, Judy Iacoi, of Westerly.

Visiting hours will be held on Friday, September 20 from 5 to 8p.m. at the Thomas and Walter Quinn Funeral Home, 2435 Warwick Ave., Warwick. Her funeral will be held Saturday from the Home at 9a.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Peter Church, 350 Fair St., Warwick, at 10a.m. Internment will follow at the Pawtuxet Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Margaret E. Iacoi Memorial Foundation for Widowed Mothers (www.meiacoifoundation.org). Information and condolences, visit TheQuinnFuneralHome.com