Joan Ciccone, Madonna’s stepmother, passed away on September 24, 2024, at 81, after a brief battle with aggressive cancer, not a long one as stated. She married Madonna’s father, Silvio Ciccone, in 1966, becoming stepmother to his six children, including Madonna, after the death of Madonna’s mother in 1963. Joan and Silvio had two children, Jennifer and Mario, and lost a son, Joey, to a heart defect shortly after birth. Born in Taylor, Michigan, Joan worked as a dental assistant and ran a daycare for over 20 years. In 1995, she and Silvio moved to Suttons Bay, Michigan, to operate Ciccone Vineyard and Winery, where she was deeply involved. Joan appeared in documentaries like “I’m Going to Tell You a Secret” and “Biography.” Her obituary highlights her enthusiasm, joy, and love, especially for her grandchildren, whom she was sad to leave before seeing their milestones. Madonna has not publicly commented but had a complex relationship with Joan, later softened by reconciliation.
