Obituary: Carmella M. "Ella" Sarra, 89

On January 15, 2014, Carmella (Rocchio) Sarra, 89 passed away at her home surrounded by the loving embrace of her husband Frank and her family. Ella died as she lived, with grace dignity, and serenity. 

Ella lived an extraordinary life. Ella married Frank A. Sarra in 1954 and they began their life's journey together in a marriage blessed with children and love. Ella's family and friends will remember her first and foremost as a loving wife and mother. Frank and Ella traveled the world together, enjoyed a close network of friends, and shared a wonderful marriage. Together they raised three daughters, Nancy, Ginger, and Lori, and a son, Frank Jr. Ella immersed herself in her family, ensuring that her home was always filled with love, laughter, friends, and good food (and lots of it). Ella and Frank often traveled with their children and ensured that they shared their strong family values. 

As their children grew, Ella welcomed 5 grandsons and 2 granddaughters into the world. Devoted daughter of John and Amelia Rocchio, she cared for them throughout their later years as they reached the ages of 103 and 101 years old and an 83-year marriage. And as an accomplished nurse who graduated from the Rhode Island Hospital School of Nursing where she cared for patients for many years, Ella brought considerable skill to looking after her parents, and her dear sister Gloria Rocchio. 

Ella loved hosting gatherings of family and friends at her wonderful home and treated them all to the best food west of Rome. Ella met you at the door with her apron on, with food on her table, and with a smile on her face. Cooking was one of her joys, and she shared that joy with her family and friends to their delight. You were never done eating at Ella's table, as she brought one course after another that were all too good to refuse. Ella was loved by all who knew her. She was implacable, handling a crisis with a calmness that reassured those around her. She loved to laugh, and always offered encouragement and praise to her family and friends. Ella will be sadly missed but remembered by her family and friends.

Ella is survived by her husband, Frank Sarra, her children, Nancy Forte and her husband Jimmy, Ginger Hesse and her husband John, Lori Petros and her husband Jerry, and Frank Sarra, Jr. and his wife Elizabeth, and seven grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Home and Hospice Care of Rhode Island, 1085 North Main Street, Providence, RI 02904.