Clara Sarno

Clara (Calvanese) Sarno, 84, of Longmeadow died Friday, April 20, 2018 at home after a long illness surrounded by her loving family. Clara was born in Bracigliano, (Salerno) Italy on June 1, 1933 and was the loving daughter of Salvatore R. and Anna Calvanese.  She immigrated to this country in 1960 and settled in Springfield, Massachusetts where she met her beloved husband, Alfonso, in 1961 and married in 1962. Clara started her life in Springfield where she raised three wonderful children, worked at Alterations Unlimited at the “X” and then opened her own tailor shop “Clara’s Alterations” alongside her husband Alfonso of Al’s Barber Shop on Dickinson Street in Springfield.  She enjoyed getting the perfect fit for her customers for over 25 years.  Clara was a loving and caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend who enjoyed nothing more than the company of others.  She was an amazing cook who enjoyed having Sunday dinners with family and friends.  Planting flowers, watching the Red Sox and playing Gin were favorite pastimes.  She was a very spiritual person who faced her long illness with strong faith.  She will be deeply missed by her loving family and all who knew her. She was predeceased by her parents and brother, Umberto Calvanese of Springfield, and sister, Filomena Izzo of Springfield.  She leaves her beloved husband of 56 years, Alfonso Sarno; her loving children, Domenic J. Sarno and wife, Carla Sarno, of Springfield and  Giovanna (Joanna) Cummings and husband, Shawn Cummings, of Longmeadow, and Alfonso (Fonzie) Sarno Jr. of Longmeadow and his fiancée, Debra Nicoli Ritter of Ludlow, grandchildren; Nicholas and Christopher Cummings and Cassandra and Chiara Sarno , brothers, Guiseppe Calvanese and his wife Mary of Springfield; Gerry Calvanese and wife Barbara of East Longmeadow, Alfonso Calvanese and wife Francine of Longmeadow; her sister-in-law, Giovanna “Genny” Calvanese; and brother-in-law, Germanio “Jerry” Sarno and Ginny Ellis of Longmeadow;  and her many dear nieces and nephews. We are grateful to Mercy Hospital,  Brenda Brumley, Susan Zuraw, Jackie Salem and Maura Santiago from Mercy Home Care and Lauren Albano, AnnaMarie Swift and Rose Ladue from Baystate Hospice for their care and compassion.  Family and friends are invited to attend visiting hours on Sunday, April 22nd from 2-5PM at Forastiere Smith Funeral Home, 220 North Main St., East Longmeadow. Clara’s funeral service will be held on Monday, April 23rd from the funeral home at 8:30AM followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial in Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church at 10AM. Burial will follow in St. Michael’s Cemetery. Donations in Clara’s memory may be made to Mt. Carmel Building Fund, 123 William St., Springfield, MA 01105 or Baystate VNA and Hospice, 280 Chestnut St., 6th floor, Springfield, MA 01199. Please visit www.forastiere.com to share a memory or leave a condolence for the family.