Sarah Fasani

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Sarah Fasani (nee Pizza), age 92, of Wayne, NJ.

Sarah passed away peacefully on Friday, January 26, 2024 while receiving the loving care of her family.  She was born and raised in Hackensack, NJ and was one of three children and the only daughter to Charles and Margaret Pizza.

As a young girl growing up in Hackensack, Sarah attended Hackensack High School where she excelled in academics.  She graduated from Hackensack High School with the class of 1949 and immediately enrolled in a local business school.  Sarah earned her Associates degree through the business school and found employment quickly working, and meeting Betty Huber who eventually became her sister in law, marrying her older brother Frank Pizza.

One electrifying night at a local music venue, Sarah found herself immersed in the soul-stirring melodies that filled the air. The atmosphere pulsated with the rhythm of the music, creating a magical ambiance. As she reveled in the enchanting tunes, Sarah caught the eye of none other than the legendary crooner himself, Tony Bennett. At the time Tony had not been discovered yet.  Mr. Bennett approached her during a break in his performance and extended a charming invitation to join him for a post-concert dinner.  Sarah’s father Charles, adamant in his traditional values, sternly forbade his daughter from getting involved with a musician, convinced that the unpredictable lifestyle and perceived lack of stability in the music world would compromise her future.  He told Sarah that she needed to marry a hardworking, honest, Italian young man that will take good care of her.

Sarah’s parents and the parents of a young handsome Italian man named Peter Fasani ,raised in Roccasicura Italy, were both eager to ensure a prosperous future for their children. They orchestrated a hopeful meeting, anticipating that the carefully arranged encounter would pave the way for a relationship culminating in marriage.  As fate would have it, they fell in love and on October 7, 1956, the couple exchanged wedding vows and became husband and wife at St Frances Church in Hackensack.

The newlyweds settled in Paterson, NJ just across the street from Peter’s parents.  While only residing there for about a year, the couple welcomed their first child, their daughter Donna in 1957.  The family moved to Little Falls shortly after Donna’s birth, where over the next few years they welcomed their two sons Frank, and Michael.  Little Falls was where Sarah and Peter raised their children and remained until 1985, when they moved to Wayne.  Immediately after getting married, Sarah decided that she would become a full-time homemaker.  This was Sarah’s true calling and where she genuinely flourished.  Sarah completely devoted her time an effort to nurturing and caring for her husband and children.  She was not only devoted to her family, but also to her Catholic Faith.  While living in Little Falls, the family were parishioners of Holy Angels Church and later Our Lady of the Valley RC Church when moving to Wayne. Her children all attended Holy Angels elementary school as we.  Sarah enjoyed singing in the choirs at both parishes and was a member of the Rosary Society .  She was a member of the Italian American Club in Little Falls as well as a Past President and member of the Woman’s Organization at Our Lady of the Valley.

After dedicating her early years to raising her children, Sarah found herself with a newfound passion for nutrition. At a time before many people took an interest in nutrition, Sarah was intrigued by the profound impact of a healthy lifestyle.  She decided to turn her interest into action. Once her children had grown and become more independent, Sarah sought an opportunity to delve into the world of nutrition and healthy living. She secured a part-time job at GNC, a renowned health and wellness store, where she could share her knowledge and enthusiasm for nutrition with others.  She became one of the stores top salespersons.  Sarah was an avid reader and loved to learn about not only nutrition, but also religion and cooking.  Sarah’s faith in God truly defined her as a person.  She was selfless to a fault, always thinking and praying for others around her.  One of her favorite captions was, “Your Faith shines brightest through the dark.”

Those who knew Sarah best, knew that her greatest passion in life was for her family. Nothing in the world meant more to Sarah that providing for and spending time with her family.  She was a devoted mother and grandmother, and treasured hosting holidays and Sunday dinners.  She was an accomplished cook and could prepare anything food dish requested.   She and Peter cherished fifty years of loving and loyal marriage until Peter’s passing in 2006.  During their marriage, they traveled to their homeland of Italy several times to visit relatives from both sides of their family.   In 2013, tragedy struck Sarah’s life when her son Frank passed away, but Sarah found strength in her Faith to move forward.

Sarah will forever be remembered as a loving and dedicated wife, and grandmother.  She was truly a special person who touched the lives of everyone around her and will be sincerely missed by her family and friends.

Sarah is survived by her daughter Donna Gaskin and her husband Scott Huff of Sebastian, FL, her son Michael Fasani of Wayne, NJ, her grandson Samuel Peter Gaskin of Sebastian FL, three nieces: Kathleen Pizza, Jamie Pizza, and Robin Pizza, one nephew Charles Pizza, one sister-in-law Linda Pizza, one step niece Deborah Wussler, and two step nephews: Steven Smith, and Brian Smith.  She was predeceased by her husband Peter Fasani (2006), her son Frank Fasani (2013), as well as her two brothers Frank Pizza (2002) and Joe Pizza (2019).

Those wishing to make a donation in Sarah’s name are asked to consider the American Heart Association