Denise M. Reardon

Denise M. Reardon (Nardone), of Marshfield, formerly of Braintree, passed away peacefully at home on September 28, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.

Denise was preceded in death by her mother, Jeanne M. Krabisch (Alexander), and her mother’s husband, Robert Krabisch of Braintree, and her father, John R. Nardone of Holbrook. She was the beloved wife of John F. Reardon; devoted mother of Gabrielle Reardon and her wife, Jessica, of Marshfield; Michael Reardon and his wife, Megan Sabourin, of Lakeville; and Jonathan Reardon and his wife, Allison, of Hanover; and cherished Nonnie to Lucy, Cece, Jack, Myles, Maeryn, and Alex Reardon. She was the loving sister of Mark Nardone and his wife, Mae, of Weymouth; Kathryn Ross Graves of Braintree; Johnny Nardone of Naples, Florida; and Marybeth Flynn and her husband, Greg, of Braintree. She was also a beloved aunt to her many nieces and nephews, a cherished cousin, and a loyal friend to many throughout her life.

Denise was one of those people who made others feel loved simply by being herself. Selfless, kind, and caring, she gave so much of herself to the people around her and never expected anything in return. She could talk to anyone, made friends wherever she went, and had a way of making people feel comfortable, remembered, and cared for.

Denise grew up in Braintree and lived there for most of her life. She spent more than 30 years working as a waitress at Maria’s Restaurant in Braintree, where she loved meeting new people and seeing familiar faces. After retiring from waitressing, she worked at Marshalls in Marshfield, a job she truly enjoyed.

Denise appreciated the simple things in life and was proudly old-school. She loved a paper coupon, faithfully read the newspaper, was perfectly content with her flip phone, and could always find a good deal. She took pride in looking her best, especially having her hair done, and rarely passed up an opportunity to let her family know about a good sale or what she found at a craft fair.

She was always thinking of others. Denise was known to show up unexpectedly at someone’s door with a gift simply because she had seen something that reminded her of them. She loved spending time on the Cape with her sisters and family, going out on the boat at the Green Harbor Yacht Club, taking “old people rides” in the truck with John, and their yearly trips to Aruba.

Above all, Denise loved her family. Being a Nonnie was one of the greatest joys of her life, and she adored her grandchildren. She treasured time spent with her siblings, children, grandchildren, and extended family and friends, whether it was a special occasion or simply being together.

In March, Denise was diagnosed with cancer and faced the months that followed with remarkable strength. Through treatments, procedures, hospital stays, and difficult days, she remained the same strong and selfless woman she had always been. She never complained; she simply kept going. She continued to face each day as she always had—quietly strong and concerned more about the people she loved than herself.

Denise will be deeply missed for her unexpected visits, thoughtful gifts, conversations, shopping trips, days on the boat, time on the Cape, and all of the ordinary moments she made special simply by being there. Her family will miss her laugh, her stories, her familiar voice, and the way she always found a way to make the people she loved feel cared for. Above all, they will miss simply having her here.

The love Denise gave so freely throughout her life will stay with her family and friends forever. She leaves behind not only memories, but pieces of herself in every person she loved—especially her children and grandchildren, who will carry her love, her strength, and her spirit with them always. We were incredibly lucky to have her—to be her children, to have our children call her Nonnie, and to have been loved by a woman with a heart like hers.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to all those who cared for Denise at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and South Shore Hospital.

A wake will be held on October 11, 2026, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at MacDonald Funeral Home, 1755 Ocean Street, Marshfield, Massachusetts. A celebration of Denise’s life will be held in the summer of 2027.