- January 18, 2026
Esther Martone Caduto died peacefully on Tuesday, December 16, 2025. Born in Vandergrift, Pennsylvania on March 14, 1930 to Salvatore and Elvira Camozzi Martone, she was the last surviving child among her two brothers and three sisters: Luigi (Louie), Victoria (Vickie), Jovanna (Jennie), Georgetta (Geeg) and Antonio (Tony). A devoted and beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and great-aunt, Esther was predeceased by husband Ralph Caduto, Jr. and eldest daughter, Linda Ann Caduto.
Esther’s family moved to Providence, RI in 1943. At seventeen Esther worked at the Providence Public Library where she met lifelong friend Camille Caccia, and husband-to-be Ralph Caduto, Jr. In 1947, her father, Salvatore, died of lung cancer; a transformative experience that inspired Esther’s lifelong pursuit of healthful living and healing for others.
In 1949 Esther attended Rhode Island School of Nursing, with affiliations at Lying In Hospital (Women & Infants). Upon graduating as a Registered Nurse in 1952, Esther became Charge Nurse (Surgical Unit) at Rhode Island Hospital, and (1953-1955) Staff and Charge Nurse on the Psychiatric and Post-Polio Unit at Charles V. Chapin Hospital.
Esther and Ralph married on April 11, 1953, beginning a lifelong love and devotion. They began their family in Providence, moving to Warwick in 1962. At nearby Kent County Memorial Hospital, Esther became the first Nurse Manager for the new Orthopedic Unit, training nurses with innovative patient-care and educational practices.
In 1976, they built a house in Smithfield, RI. Their daughter, Maryjane, and her husband Louis, accompanied them. As Esther and Ralph aged, Maryjane’s and Louis’ assistance and support grew into a devotion of caring for their health for the remainder of their lives.
With a legendary green thumb and knowledge of plants, Esther grew ornamental and vegetable gardens, all while raising four children, working full-time, and completing post-graduate studies at the University of Rhode Island, Rhode Island College, and St. Joseph’s College (Maine). In 1980 Esther earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Administration.
Esther and Ralph loved traveling, eventually settling in Palm Coast, FL and volunteering throughout the community. They were accomplished Master Gardeners and loved serving as judges at science fairs.
Esther’s accomplishments appear in Who’s Who of American Women…American Education…and Registered Nurses. In 1991 she represented the United States in a citizen ambassador/professional exchange program (People-to-People) on a 10-day journey with Ralph to Budapest, Prague, and Russia, where Esther presented, “Cell Saver Techniques in Orthopedic Surgery.” Esther retired from Kent County Hospital in 1993.
Esther is survived by children Michael John Caduto and wife Marie, Nancy Jean Hagerty and husband James, and Maryjane Caduto Jordan and husband Louis; grandchildren Kathleen (Hagerty) Piranio, Laura (Hagerty) Sapanara, and James Hagerty; and great grandchildren Nathaniel and Hunter Sapanara, Mackenzie Piranio (and angel Kara), and Emma Hagerty.
Visitation will be from 9:00-10:00am, Monday, January 5, 2026, at Volusia Memorial Funeral Home (548 North Nova Road, Ormond Beach, FL, 32174), with a Funeral Service at 10:00am. In lieu of flowers, please donate in Esther’s honor/memory to the Flagler Humane Society: https://flaglerhumanesociety.org/
