Sharon LaScola

Sharon LaScola, age 77, of Wayne passed suddenly and unexpectedly at home on Monday, March 18, 2024.

She was born in Cleveland, Ohio to Albert and Thelma Nowak.  Her life took a turn when she lost her father when she was just six months old.  Her family moved to Wayne when she was six years old.  Sharon’s mother married Albert Fernicola who served as a father figure to Sharon and raised her as his own. Sharon attended the Preakness School #2 on Hamburg Turnpike in Wayne and went on to graduate from the Wayne High School with the Class of 1964.  Furthering her education, she attended classes at William Paterson College in Wayne.

Sharon worked for the State Farm Insurance Company in Wayne for her entire career and retired as a Superintendent.  During her tenure at State Farm Insurance, she married Mel LaScola and moved to Houston, Texas for a few years.  They returned to Wayne after a few years and Sharon negotiated her job back with State Farm Insurance, including all her years previously served,

Sharon was a devoted member of Our Lady of the Valley Church, where her Catholic faith played a central role in her life. She was also committed to helping others in their faith journey and volunteered with the CCD program at Our Lady of the Valley Church.  For many years Sharon also donated her time and talents to the Our Lady of the Valley Church Festival. Her unwavering faith and dedication to serving her community made her a beloved and respected member of the church and the wider community.  For many years Sharon volunteered at the Wayne Animal Shelter. Her compassionate nature and commitment to her beliefs left a lasting impact on those around her.

Sharon was known for her reliability, dependability, and love of scrapbooking.  Her generous and patient nature made her a belove confidante, always willing to lend a listening ear or a helping hand.  When it came to her four brothers, she wielded hairbrush discipline with love and care, earning the respect and admiration of her siblings.  Sharon’s combination of strength and compassion made her a pillar of support for her family and friends, and her ability to balance discipline with kindness made her an exceptional role model for those around her. Sharon was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and her family roots can be traced to the English settlement of the east coast of North America known as the Massachusetts Bay Colony (1628-1691).

Sharon was the loving sister of Albert Fernicola of Wayne, Alan Fernicola of Wharton, Robert Fernicola of Haskell, and the late Anthony Fernicola. She was the loving aunt of six nieces and two nephews.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the Father English Community Center, 435 Main Street, Paterson, NJ 07501 or the Wayne Animal Shelter, 201 Pompton Plains Crossroad, Wayne, NJ 07470 would be greatly appreciated (donation cards for each organization will be available at the funeral home.