Rosaria "Sara" Hiers-Payne

Rosaria “Sara” Bonanno Hiers-Payne passed away July 20, 2020 peacefully with her daughters at her side, after a 2 year battle with pancreatic cancer. She was born in Washington, DC on November 23, 1938 to the late Antonio and Providenza Bonanno, sister of the late Antonio “Tony” Bonanno, wife of the late Dr. Jack D Hiers and wife of the late Oscar W Payne, grandmother of the late William Arrowood. She is survived by her daughters, Toni (Ronnie) Silber, Dr. Bonnie Hiers-Quattrone, step-children Julie Arrowood, and Kevin Payne; 5 grandchildren, Dane Silber, Nicole Quattrone, Joseph Quattrone, Jared Silber, and Sammy Silber; her brother, Ted (“Maggie"); and sister-in-law, Lynda Bonanno and numerous nieces and nephews.

She loved her family, and they were her heart and her world. She was so proud of her family and fought through her diagnosis so that she could spend more time with us. We are so blessed to have such a wonderful mother who exemplified love, grace, forgiveness, charity, kindness, and fun. She had many interests and excelled at everything she did. Everyone who knew her, loved her because she made everyone feel special and loved. She had a big smile, laughed easily, and had kind words for all.

She graduated from Sacred Heart Academy as the valedictorian and was bestowed the honor of May Queen. She was not only intelligent, she was also liked and loved by all whose lives she touched.

She worked part-time as Office Manager for Dr. Carmine Petrarca for 38 years and loved her job. She loved Carmine and loved the patients, many of whom became her friends. She would always say, “Going to work was like seeing old friends”.

She was very religious and spiritual and was a Eucharistic Minister for St. John the Baptist Catholic Church for many years. She had a special devotion to St. Anthony and St. Jude.

In her 70's, she traveled to Europe twice with Bonnie and saw many sites, which they both enjoyed immensely and spoke of frequently. She vacationed yearly with Toni , Ronnie and their family and they recall those times fondly. She spent quality time with her family, who love her and miss her immensely.

If you plan to attend the visitation, please contact Toni at 240-593-3869. There is limited space. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, July 31, 2020, 11am at Church of the Resurrection, 3315 Greencastle Road, Burtonsville, MD 20866. Interment immediately following at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 13801 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20906. Please wear a mask for all events.