Sara Adirato

Our loving mother Rosaria Adirato, also known by all as “Sara” passed away peacefully at the age of 88 on November 1st surrounded by her family.

Sara was predeceased by her husband of 50 wonderful years Eugenio, her parents Nicolo and Giuseppina Ferlazzo and her sister Carmela Troni (Franco).

Sara is survived by her three children Rosemary Mollica (Joseph),  Jack E. Adirato and Joanne Adirato;  her grandchildren Nina Torino (Chris),  Jacob Adirato,  Jessica Speero (Christian),  Nicole Adirato,  Anthony Adirato,  Nicholas Viereck,  Matthew Viereck  and Michael Viereck;  her great-grandchildren  Eugenio Torino,  Nicolo Torino  and Fynleigh Speero.

Sara  is survived by her siblings Antonia Gatani (Salvatore),  Salvatore Ferlazzo (Maria),  and Rita Bruscolini along with many nieces, nephews, cousin’s and those that were friends that became family.

Sara was born to her parents Nicolo and Giuseppina Ferlazzo  in San Giorgio, Province of Messina Sicily. Sara shared her childhood stories, one specifically of the American soldier’s who would hand out candy to her and other children as they fought to protect the Island of Sicily, a region of Italy.

Sara’s parents owned a butcher shop and raised many animals to provide for their family. She was given the unfortunate task of getting them “ready”  to be butchered. As loving, selfless, kind and  a heart of gold came a huge inner strength that remained with her that she did what she needed to help her family. At the age of four Sara first met the love of her life Eugenio,  fondly remembered as Gene.  Gene began working for Sara’s father Nicolo at his butcher shop.

Years later that meeting of Gene and Sara  led to their marriage on November 21st 1955. Sara  and Gene  immigrated to the United States in 1956 after a long 10 day journey on the ship Olympia, finally arriving at Ellis Island.   They began their American dream in  Girard, Ohio, later settling in Delran, New Jersey.

While Sara’s husband Gene was visiting family in Italy in 1975 Sara saw an opportunity for her husband as well as herself to expand her expert seamstress business which she started out of her home.  Sara saw a property for sale on Chester Avenue in Delran, and did not hesitate to purchase it. This was the beginning of an incredible journey as Gene opened Gene’s Hairstyling and Sara started as a woman’s clothing store. Later choosing to enter  the bridal business and her salon was  known by so many as Sara’s Place.  During her years working at Sara’s place she happily hired her daughter Rosemary who helped her mom each step of the way.

Sara’s Place quickly became the place for brides, mother’s, as well as mothers with their daughter’s looking for prom gowns.  Sara’s Place was chosen as bridal salon of the year for Burlington County countless times.  In her 30 years Sara made an immeasurable amount of  customers so very happy for any occasion. There was no task too large for Sara to take on to fulfill her customers’ requests.

If you were fortunate to go to Sara’s house you would never leave hungry whether you wanted to eat or not. She enjoyed many Sunday dinners with her children and grandchildren. She also loved Sunday morning breakfast with her children and grandchildren where she would toast mounds of bread, make eggs your way and had endless bacon and sausage.  Sara also cherished her memories of numerous family picnics, gatherings and celebrations.  Most recently her most cherished moments were with her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren who she adored. She especially could not get enough hugs or kisses from her great-grandchildren and has left a beautiful legacy.

 If snow was in the forecast you would find Sara making bread, pizza, meatballs, sausage and anything else she felt we needed to get through the storm whether it was an inch of snow or several feet. Her love came through in everything she made.

Later in life she took on baking and made her famous lemon cookies, biscotti, and pizzelles.  Once at her home you were not leaving without doing a shot and she would raise her drink to you and say “salute”.

Sara took great pride throughout the years tending to her outrageously large garden and making her homemade wine. When September rolled around she would make her homemade tomato sauce which normally exceeded 200 jars.   Sara was entertained by her favorite television shows such as Dancing with the Stars, America’s Got Talent,Jerry Springer and Maury Povich.  While watching her shows specifically Jerry and Maury she would comment with “I cannota believa it these girls!!!”

Sara will be missed immensely by her family, friends and everyone that was blessed to have known her.  The love she had for everyone and the legacy she leaves behind will forever be with us.

Join the family to celebrate Sara’s 88 wonderful years on Tuesday November 7th 6-8pm at Sweeney’s Funeral Home 337 Bridgeboro Street Riverside NJ, Wednesday November 8th from 9-10am at Sweeney’s Funeral Home.  Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Wednesday November 8th at 10:30am at Jesus the Good Shepherd Parish, 805 Warren Street Beverly, NJ.  Interment will be at St Peter’s Cemetery Riverside New Jersey.