Sara Traficante

Sara passed away peacefully on October 9, 2022, surrounded by her loved ones in Simi Valley, CA. She would have celebrated her 108th birthday in January 2023.
Sara was born (Saveria) on January 18, 1915 the daughter to Biaggio and Marietta Massone. She was born in Manhattan’s “Little Italy” of New York City, NY, along with her brother Joseph Massone. When Sara was 10, the family moved to North Brunswick, New Jersey. Sara’s first job was at the young of 14 working for Bonds, a leather coat factory, making pocket flats.
In 1938, at the age of 23, Sara met and married her beloved husband, Anthony (Tony) Traficante on June 26. Sara and Tony welcomed their five children, twin girls (sadly passing shortly after birth), two boys and one girl. Sara often mentioned her greatest love in life was caring for her family and raising her children. Sara was sincerely thankful to God for all her blessings.
Sara was always smiling, laughing and had a great sense of humor. Those fortunate enough to meet Sara would immediately cherish her. Sara always joked around with everyone and would frequently say, “I’m going to give you a punch in the nose”, “I’ll give you a knuckle sandwich” and if you had the hiccups, she’d ask “are you drunk again?” Sara was always doing chores around the house. You would often find her moving the china cabinet, riding the exercise bike, shoveling snow, standing on the kitchen table putting dishes away and complaining how small the kitchen was. Over the years she enjoyed playing Pinnacle, Gin Rummy, puzzles, word searches, Tic-Tac-Toe with her great-great grandchildren, cooking, baking or just spending quality time with her family. She also sang nursey rhymes to us when we were little. As most of you know, Sara loved chocolates, ice cream, and fish. There were only two things she would avoid completely, cats and tomatoes. She didn’t dance, never learned to roller skate, ride a bike or even drive a car but in 1987, DMV issued Sara a boating license as her picture ID but family would never let her operate a boat.
Sara dearly loved her family and friends creating memories that we’ll cherish in our hearts forever. She lived a devoted life as wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, aunt, great-great aunt and cousin.
Preceded in death by her parents, Biaggio and Marietta Massone; her beloved husband Anthony William Traficante; her twins; her brother Joseph Massone; her grandson Robert Balogh and son-in-law Gene Burns.
Sara is survived by her three children, Ernest Anthony Traficante, Robert Traficante, Kathleen Carol (Gene) Burns; five grandchildren, Lisa Michele (Todd) Traficante-Loncao, Denise Balogh, Stacie Ann Traficante, Anthony Lyle (Elizabeth) Traficante, Michael Ernest (Katrina) Traficante; nine great grandchildren, Angelica Nicole (Jonathan) Linder, Heather Jeanette (Sean) Henry, Andrew William (Kayla) Balogh, Jake Robert Balogh, Christian John (Katherine) Futrell, Brooklynne Ann Traficante, Cameron Michael Traficante, McKenna Catherine Loncao, Dyllin Elizabeth Traficante; six great-great grandchildren, Colton John Linder, Bradley Gene Linder, Glen Robert Balogh, Jaxson Robert Henry, Natasha Leigh Balogh, Corlan Patrick Henry; one daughter-in-law, Ellie Balogh; three nephews, Barry (Nancy) Massone, Dennis (Cyndy) Massone, Joey (Holly) Massone; one great niece, Sara Jane Massone; two great nephews, Michael (Sophie) Massone, and Matthew Massone.
Sara was truly a beautiful soul inside and out, genuinely kind, thoughtful, compassionate, giving and very loving toward EVERYONE.
Our family is thankful to all who are able to share with us in celebration of Sara’s life.