Sarah I. Oliveira

With profound sadness and endless love, we announce the passing of our beloved Sarah Oliveira of Elizabeth, New Jersey, on June 12, 2026, at the age of 27 after a lifelong battle with Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa (RDEB).

Sarah attended Children’s Specialized Hospital School in Fanwood and then went on to the Monsignor João S Antão School No. 31 Gifted and Talented program in Elizabeth. She received home instruction in her high school years through the Elizabeth Public School system.

Though her time with us was far too short, our sweet Sarah filled each day with creativity, laughter, and love. Known as Saripoochie or Sari to many, she had a kind, gentle heart that made everyone feel valued. She was generous and thoughtful, quietly supporting causes and choosing the perfect gifts for loved ones. At a young age, she donated her hair to Locks of Love and requested donations in place of birthday gifts. Beautiful inside and out, she faced her challenges with remarkable grace, never asking “Why me?” but instead, “Why not me?” The painful treatments she endured every day of her life strengthened the bond she had with her mother. She was a proud, loving aunt to Lyla, and that love was joyfully reciprocated.

Despite her devastating illness, Sarah was deeply artistic and found joy in arts and crafts, creating tiny treasures like jewelry and miniature clay sculptures even with limited use of her hands. She loved going to live theater and cafés, and she enjoyed fishing—astonishing everyone by catching 12 trout on her first try. As her EB progressed, fishing became harder, but it remained something she loved. She enjoyed travel and was fortunate to visit her paternal family in France as well as take a breathtaking cruise to Alaska and multiple trips to Disney. She loved meeting up with friends at EB conferences throughout the country. Like fishing, travel got progressively harder, but she enjoyed and appreciated shorter getaways that weren’t as taxing.

Sarah was a huge Swiftie, finding comfort and joy in the music of Taylor Swift, whose songs became a steady light through some of her darkest days. During two of her hardest years battling cancer, she found solace in streaming the Eras Tour amidst difficult procedures and anxious waits for test results. She also found great joy in her puppy, August, whose loyal companionship brought her love and laughter. In heaven, she is reunited with her other beloved pets, Kiwi and Max.

Sarah was wise beyond her years. She was a walking encyclopedia, intellectually curious. She brought dry humor and lively banter to those around her. She even ordained herself just in case she needed to officiate at a wedding one day. She often called herself her mother’s “forever child,” reflecting the close bond they shared. She was officially declared a HERO in her hometown of Elizabeth. She was quiet in resolve, standing for the innocent and for what is just. Throughout her life, she faced immense pain with courage and resilience yet remained strong and determined.

Sarah was a poster child for the NJ Elks Handicapped Children Committee. It was their generosity as well as that of The Shannon Daley Memorial Fund, the Daniel Galorenzo Foundation, PALS SkyHope and the Ralph Politi Jr. Memorial Foundation that helped ease the financial burden of living with EB. Our family will be forever grateful for their compassion, support and in many cases, the friendships formed along the way.

She found a second home at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, where devoted teams cared for her with extraordinary skill, compassion, and love. Some became far more than providers to our family. They became part of our journey, sharing in both our hopes and our heartbreak. Our loss is their loss, and we will always be deeply grateful for the care and love they gave Sarah.

Sarah is survived by her loving parents, Maria Oliveira and Jack Oliveira; her brother, David Oliveira; her sister Leticia Oliveira and brother Andrew Tiburcio; her cherished niece, Lyla Grace Oliveira; her maternal grandmother, Blanca Fernandez; her aunt, Belkis Hoyos; cousins, Christina Hoyos, Jessica Hoyos and Ryan Reyes; and her paternal grandmother, Olivia Oliveira; Godmother/aunt Cidalia Oliveira and Godfather Bobby Saraiva; cousin, Nina Oliveira and many other relatives and friends who were blessed to know and love her. She was preceded in death by her grandfathers, Elias Fernandez and Diamantino Oliveira.

Though our hearts ache in her absence, we find comfort in the countless memories Sarah leaves behind. We will remember her not for her suffering, but for her love, laughter, strength, and the beautiful spirit that lives on in all who knew her. Though she is gone, her light remains in every cherished memory, every smile she inspired, and every life she touched.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to dEBra (Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa Research Association) in Sarah’s memory. www.debra.org

“Good-bye, good-bye, good-bye. You were bigger than the whole sky. You were more than just a short time.” Taylor Swift

Visitation will be held at KROWICKI MCCRACKEN FUNERAL HOME, 2124 East Saint GeorgeS Ave, Linden, on Friday, June 19, 2026, from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend a funeral on Saturday, June 20, 2026, 9:00 am at the funeral home. Funeral service will be held at 11:00 am, followed by entombment at St. Gertrude Cemetery, Colonia.