Teresa Salafia

Teresa Salafia, age 85 of Paterson, passed away peacefully in the comfort of her home on Friday, Feb. 9, 2024, surrounded by her loving family.

Teresa was born on June 18, 1938 to Rosa & Giuseppe Calafiore in Solarino, Sicily. Growing up, alongside all her sisters and brothers, they worked to cultivate the land. She was also very instrumental in helping to raise her nieces and nephews at a young age. She came to America in 1958 and started working as a seamstress and lived with her uncle. Two years later, she traveled back to Sicily, where she met her husband Benito and they were married on July 13, 1961. They came to America in 1962 and settled in Paterson where they raised their four children.

Teresa became a homemaker and welcomed her parents and many nieces and nephews to stay with her before they settled into their own homes. She had a passion for cooking delicious meals and celebrating many holidays year after year at her home with a minimum of thirty people at all times.

Teresa had an eye for fashion and always looking her best at all times, head to toe. She enjoyed traveling with her husband and many friends and family going on cruises and trips to Aruba, Sandy Hook beach, and countless day trips to Atlantic City.

She looked forward to the gatherings at the Solarino American Society Club in Paterson, where there was something to celebrate every month, reminiscing with all her relatives and friends.

Her beautiful smile, caring personality, always wanting things to be “just right” and her presence, brought happiness to all who knew her, always giving a hug and kiss, will be missed dearly.

Her legacy is one to be remembered and will continue to be cherished for generations to come.

She was also a parishioner of Blessed Sacrament RC Church in Paterson, and a member of Solarino American Society Club.

Devoted mother to Ida and her husband Tito Hernandez, Sal Salafia and his wife Amy, Joe Salafia and his wife Mary, and Rosanna Salafia and Joe Romano. Cherished Granmother to Jacqueline, Jessica, Gianni, Joseph, Charlotte, Bella, Selina, Sal Jr., Gino, and Joey. Beloved great-grandmother to Holland. She is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, extended relatives, and friends. Teresa was predeceased by her husband, Benito, by her parents; Rosa and Giuseppe, by her sisters; Concetta, Josephine, Paola, and Angelina, and by her brothers; Carmelo and Salvatore.