Sabina Panaccione

Sabina Panaccione, known all her life as 'Sally', passed into the presence of her Savior on Friday, July 17, 2015 at the age of 89. Sally fought a long, hard fight with Alzheimer's disease. She died peacefully, her daughter Donna and caregivers Elizabeth and Larry Messier, with her until the end. Sally was born on Sept. 20, 1925 in Newark, New Jersey, the daughter of Domenico and Ermelinda (Cetrulo) Barone. She learned secretarial skills at a technical school from which she graduated. She held various office jobs, her last one being a bookkeeper at Midlantic Bank which later became PNC Bank. She met Gerald 'Jerry' Panaccione as she regularly walked by his gas station/garage. He finally mustered the courage to ask her for a date and was amazed she said "Yes!" They were married Nov. 22, 1953 in Newark, New Jersey. Their three children, Donna, Gerald, and Mark soon followed. Sally and Jerry bought their first house in Belleville, New Jersey where they raised their family, later moving to East Hanover and then to Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey, finally settling in West Burke, Vermont in 2005. Sally was a woman of simple tastes. She loved her family, including extended family and in-laws. She loved to cook and loved having the family around her table. Most Sundays brought various family members to Sally's house for great food, loud talk, love and acceptance. We never heard her criticize anyone. Holidays, special events, meals after funerals, were always at Sally's. It was where we all wanted to be. Sally had a strong faith. She loved God and relied on Him heavily through the various trials in life. When making plans she frequently say "Lord willing." She knew who was in charge of her life. Her faith in the Lord made her a strong woman of courage, perseverance, and love. Sally was game for things. When asked if she wanted to do something with us, she'd invariably reply "Yes. The house will be here after I'm dead and gone!" In other words, housework could wait. She laughed easily and had a great sense of humor. She liked having fun. After the age of 50, Sally and Jerry began to travel. They went to Italy, Hawaii, California, Arizona, and Las Vegas. They also went on many of Jerry's army reunion trips. Sally had a particularly memorable trip to Florida with her sister-in-law Jenny and niece Joanne. While still living in New Jersey, Sally made many trips to Vermont to visit Donna's family. Sally was predeceased by her parents and siblings: Rose Nardelli, Mary Barlotta, Dominick Barone, and baby sister Christine. She was also predeceased by Jerry's parents and siblings. She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Jerry, and their children: Donna Otto and husband Andrew of West Burke, Jerry Panaccione and wife Marianne of New Jersey, Mark Panaccione of New Jersey; her beloved grandchildren: Elizabeth Bedor and husband Jason of St. Johnsbury, Andrea Otto of West Burke, James Otto of Portland, Maine, Michael Panaccione of New Jersey, Danielle Panaccione and husband Mark Pabers of New Jersey, Tina White and husband Tom of New York state, Melissa Makarick and husband Evan of New York state; special nieces and nephews and some amazing aides and caregivers that loved Sally well. Sally also had five great-grandchildren: Aiden, Lilly, Kadence, Drea, and Gracie. Services will be held at the Guibord Funeral Home this Wednesday, July 22, at 11 a.m. with friends calling at the funeral home that morning from 10 a.m. to the start of the service. Burial will follow at Hillside Cemetery in West Burke. Memorial contributions, marked for 'Alzheimer's Support Group', could be directed to Caledonia Home Health, 161 Sherman Dr., St. Johnsbury VT 05819. Condolences may be shared privately at www.guibordfh.com. Guibord Funeral Home is located on the corner of Main and Center streets in Lyndonville.