Tina Marie Sapanaro

Tina Marie Sapanaro (nee De Benedictis), age 55; beloved wife for 31 years of Thomas, cherished mother of Alisa Canganelli (husband Anthony) and Anthony Sapanaro, devoted grandmother of Giovanni, beloved daughter of Anna (nee Recchia) and the late Guerino De Benedictis, loving sister of Anthony De Benedictis (wife Nicole) and Gianni De Benedictis, dear daughter-in-law of Tony and the late Gloria Sapanaro, loving sister-in-law of Joseph Sapanaro.

Tina was a woman of many great strengths. She was the anchor, the rock, and a woman of fierce love. Her love was genuine and without hesitation, given to so many throughout the entirety of her life. Tina’s family was her true love, her life, and her foundation. Marriage was her lifetime commitment to loving her husband with a great wittiness, sense of adventure and an eternal love. Motherhood was the greatest responsibility that she enthusiastically dedicated her life to. If you knew Tina, you knew that the term “mama bear,” didn’t fully encompass the unconditional and fierce love she had for her children. Becoming a grandmother was one of the most joyous moments of her life. A whole new level of love had developed in Tina’s soul. Her new happiness was now giving her entire heart to her grandson. 

There was no shaking her faith or her love. This kind of love bled out into many other relationships in Tina’s life; whether it be her family, friends, clients, or strangers, she loved us all with the greatest sense of trust and loyalty. This shined through as Tina was the confidant for so many. Her love was so deep that it moved her to fight the most gruesome fight of her life with great determination and tenacity to win the battle. No matter what storm she went through, she confronted it with fierce faith and an unwillingness to give up and be down about it. Tina found a way, no matter what, to be grateful for who she had in her life and all that her life had to offer. She was a prime example of when life gives you lemons, make limoncello, but do it with great passion and love. And as Tina would so famously say, “It’s fine, I’m fine and everything’s fine.” 

FRIENDS MAY CALL AT THE FIORITTO FUNERAL HOME, 5236 Mayfield Road, Lyndhurst (East of Richmond Road) on Thursday, February 6, 2025 from 4 to 8 pm. Mass of Christian Burial 10 am Friday, February 7, 2025 at The Church of Saint Clare, 5659 Mayfield Road, Lyndhurst; followed by procession to Knollwood Cemetery for Interment Services.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Tina's memory suggested to The National Pancreatic Cancer Foundation at https://www.npcf.us/ways-to-donate/