Sara Schifano

Sara Francis Schifano passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on August 13, 2019. She was born August 11, 1929 in Birmingham, Alabama. Being a devout Catholic, Sara was a faithful member of Prince of Peace Catholic Church. She was a non-foods buyer for 30+ years at Associated Grocers of Alabama, but her true joy in life were her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter. Sara was preceded in death by the love of her life, Norman Schifano who she was married to for 70+ years, her mother, Josephine Giambrone, five sisters and two brothers as well as her beautiful granddaughter, Jennifer Whitley. She is survived by her five daughters, Norma Jean Barelare (Joe), Mary Ann Stith (Tom), Carolyn Smith (Felton), Rita Baumgartner (Clyde), and Ramona Graffeo (Andy). Grandchildren, Norman Barelare (Kim), Natalie Church, Lani McFadden (Scott), Katie Hesse (Michael), James Whitley, Jr. (Jennifer), Leslie Black (Robert), Robert Pettigrew, Eli Strong (Amanda), and Craig Strong. Great Grandchildren, Blake, Kristen, Preston, Campbell, Carson, Fletcher, Oliver, Tyler, Sam, Lucy Jean, Charlie and Sara Rose and one great-great grandchild, Blakely. Visitation will be held Friday, August 16th at Prince of Peace Catholic Church beginning at 9:00AM, and a Mass of Christian burial at 10:00AM, with graveside services at Elmwood Cemetery directly afterward. The family extends its deepest gratitude to her caregiver, Dianne Ford, and the nurses and staff at Alacare/Encompass Hospice. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Lupus Foundation, Juvenile Diabetes, or Prince of Peace Catholic Church. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.johnsridoutselmwoodchapel.com for the SCHIFANO family.