Marianne Elizabeth Bianco

Marianne Bianco was born in Long Island, New York as the youngest daughter of Gaetano & Marion Yocono. After her upbringing as a fiery Italian New Yorker, she moved with her parents to the beautiful and rural state of New Hampshire, where she finished high school and attended college. While staying in New England for the first few years of her professional career as a registered dietitian, Marianne reconnected with her childhood friend, Andrew Bianco and they fell in love. The words that Marianne would use to describe this moment was “the sparks flew”. After only a short few months of dating, the couple was so sure it was meant to be, that they decided to enter into marriage on October 9, 1988.

From there, Marianne and her husband, Andrew, built a marriage grounded in selfless love, service, and appreciation of the gift of family and their Catholic Faith. For the first few years of their marriage, Marianne worked as a dietitian and became a mother to her children in New York. After their family had grown, the Biancos moved to Downingtown, Pennsylvania, which became her home. Marianne and Andrew’s marriage was a beautiful witness to God's faithfulness and love for us. This created an amazing environment for their children to grow up in. Marianne and Andrew had a special love and friendship for each other. They were always willing to put aside their wants for the good of each other and genuinely enjoyed each other's company. Marianne and Andrew enjoyed the simple things in life together, such as a good meal, a walk around the neighborhood, classical music, a good garden, and company of beloved friends and family.

For the last twenty five years of her life, she continued to reside in Downingtown, serving her family with such great devotion and selflessness. As a mother to five children, Marianne put her heart and soul into nurturing and guiding them. She instilled in them the values she held dear - faith, kindness, presence, love of the beautiful, and integrity. She put her whole self into raising her five kids with exuberance of love, caring for her elderly father and inlaws, pouring into her homeschool community and growing in friendship with many around.

Putting aside her career as a nutritionist, she homeschooled her kids. Teaching quickly became a passion project. Her love of science and natural curiosity of the world made her an influential teacher. Marianne became a pillar in the local homeschool community. She impacted many in their life paths and built lifelong friendships.

During these years, Marianne’s Catholic faith and her deeply personal relationship with Jesus became central to her life. This journey of faith deeply impacted each member of her immediate family. This legacy is something that her family is immensely grateful for, as it is something that carries them even in this extremely somber moment of her sudden and tragic passing. We know this is just a “see you later”, because of what Jesus has won for Marianne.

Marianne loved art and nature and all things beautiful. She was a deep thinker, a philosopher at heart, with a beautiful mind. Marianne was a passionate Italian woman, who could not hide her opinion even if she tried because her facial expressions said it all. One of Marianne's most enduring passions was her love of food and hospitality. She believed in the power of a shared meal to bring her family and friends together. Every Christmas Eve Marianne would host a seven fishes Italian feast that filled their home with family and friends. Once Marianne and Andy became empty nesters they decided to host Airbnb guests as well as long term tenants - living their dream of running a bed and breakfast while sharing their gift of hospitality.

Tragically, Marianne passed away from pancreatic cancer on May, 26th 2023 after a month of consciously fighting her diagnosis. Known for her strong faith and devotion to her family, she’ll be greatly missed by all of her kids and grandkids.

Marianne is survived by her loving husband, Andrew, their five children: Michael (33), Joseph (30), Marina (28), Alessandra (26) and Genevieve (24), and as well as four grandchildren: Therese (5), Gianna (4), Francis (2), and Maximilian (7 months).

Relatives and friends are invited to an evening visitation on Friday, June 2, 2023 from 7 - 9 PM at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 332 Manor Avenue, Downingtown, PA 19335. 

An additional time of visitation at the church will be on Saturday, June 3, 2023 from 9 - 9:45 AM, followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 10 AM. Interment will follow in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Downingtown.

In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Sisters of Life or to the Bianco family to help cover unexpected funeral costs through Venmo @marianne-bianco or sent to the Bianco Family at 300 Highland Ave Downingtown, PA 19335.