Sadie Bonanno's Obituary
Sadie M. (Sally) Bonanno (née Musumeci), age 98 of Hasbrouck Heights passed away on February 27, 2016. She was a resident of Hasbrouck Heights for 65 years. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Salvatore (1989), her son Joseph (2009) and her infant daughter Kathleen (1954). Devoted mother of Mary Bonanno of Hasbrouck Heights, Anne Nieglos and her husband Kenneth of Clifton, N.J. and mother-in-law of Bernadette Bonanno of Lawrenceville, N.J. Sister of the late Rose Musumeci. Adored grandmother of Theresa (Lee) Riley and Katherine (Jason) Slattery. Cherished great-grandmother of Ethan and Emily Riley and Eve Slattery. She is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She was a graduate of New Paltz Normal School and Albany Teacher’s College. She taught elementary school in New York State for five years before moving to New Jersey. Here she was employed by the Hasbrouck Heights Board of Education as a substitute teacher, remedial reading teacher and bedside tutor.
Sadie was also very active in the community, belonging to many organizations. She was a member of the Contemporary Club for well over fifty years. Throughout the years, she was the secretary of the Women’s Club, the Pamela George Chapter of Cooley’s Anemia, the Jersey Chapter of the New Paltz Alumni Association, and the Student Loan Council. She was past president of the Elks Women’s Auxiliary, the South Bergen Hospital Auxiliary and the High School P.T.A. She was the past vice-president of the Corpus Christi Rosary Society. She also held memberships in the H.H. Leisure Club, the Hackensack Chapter of AARP, the Mayor’s Committee on Community Celebrations, and the Lincoln and Franklin School P.T.A.s. She had been the Girl Scout Troop Organizer for Hasbrouck Heights and a REACH volunteer.
She was honored to receive the Senior Citizen of the Year Award 1982-1983 for years of service to Corpus Christi Parish and Hasbrouck Heights by the Knights of Columbus and the Corpus Christi Church Meritorious Service award for long and dedicated service to church and community in May 1987. She was also awarded a Girl Scouts U.S.A. Oscar in 1971 for her work as a leader, advisor, and troop organizer.
Sadie delighted her family and friends with her delicious homemade Italian meals. She had a love of entertaining and her door was open to all. Many know of her love for helping others, whether her family, friends, or those in need in the community.
Memorial donations to Corpus Christi Church or the Hasbrouck Heights Student Loan Council, P.O. Box 352, Hasbrouck Heights, NJ 07604 would be appreciated.
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