Rosaria "Sara" Modafferi

Rosaria (Sara) Modafferi nee; Zuco, age 90, of Fort Lee, New Jersey, passed away peacefully on November 14, 2024, surrounded by her loving family, leaving a void in our hearts.  Sara was born in 1934 in Bagnara, Italy to Carmela and Matteo Zuco and immigrated to the United States as a young girl of 13. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend. She was well known for her kindness, faith, generosity, talents, and extraordinary love of family.  Prior to her illness, she relished time with her family and loved cooking, baking, traveling, sewing, and volunteering at her local parish.  She was a wonderful wife and mother who cared for all and bestowed selflessly her compassion, kindness, time, and love on all those who met her.

She is survived by her husband Frank Modafferi of over 40 years, and was loved and treasured by her children, Salvatore Alioto, Matteo Alioto, and Maria Gagliardo, along with their spouses Denise Alioto, Angela Alioto and Eddie Gagliardo.  She was also stepmom to Donna Modafferi, Marisa and Paul Pichigian.  Sara was an adoring, doting, and caring grandmother to 12, Lauren, Gina, Christina, Ashley, Vincent, Matthew, Nicole, Gabrielle, Alexa, Isabella, Olivia and Victoria.  She was blessed to be great-grandmother to 13, and loved singing Italian songs to Ava, Anthony, Robert, Adriana, Anthony, Louis, Ruby, Vincent, Sophia, Vincenzo, Matteo, Vincent and Nicholas.

There will be a funeral service to celebrate Sara’s life. Please join us in celebrating her life and legacy.  She will be deeply missed but forever in our hearts.

The family will receive their friends on Tuesday November 19, 2024 from 3-8 PM at the Frank A. Patti and Kenneth Mikatarian Funeral Home 327 Main Street “opposite the Fort Lee Library”.  The funeral will leave at 10 AM Wednesday for the celebration of her funeral mass in St. Nicholas  R.C. Church at 10:30 AM.   For condolences, directions, or information www.frankpatti.com or call (201) 944-0100.

Donations may be made in Sara’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Foundation