Sarah Jean Cardinale passed away on Monday at the age of 97.  She touched many lives with her resilient spirit, beautiful smile, sharp wit and loving heart.
Sarah was the daughter of Joseph and Sarah Sanfilippo, who were Sicilian immigrants.  Her father made his living as a fisherman, and Sarah and her siblings would go door to door selling fish. She left school at the age of 13 to help support and care for her family.  She married and raised 4 children, and in her younger years she worked at the Pirate Drive-in and the Vogue Theatre in Pittsburg.  After that, she worked full time for Crown Zellerbach.  Upon retirement, Sarah and her husband moved to South Lake Tahoe where she continued to work part time until the age of 70.  Sarah loved fashion, and enjoyed watching fashion shows, and critiquing the outfits and commenting on styles.  She enjoyed cooking for her family and passing down her recipes to her children and grandchildren.  She loved to go on cruises. and she loved going to Arizona to watch the Giant's during preseason.   But what Sarah loved most was spending time with her family.
Sarah is preceded by her loving husband of 70 years, John Paul Cardinale Sr., and is survived by four devoted children Frank John Cardinale (Carol) of Star Idaho, Joseph Vincent Cardinale (Kathryn) of South Lake Tahoe, John Paul Cardinale Jr. (Kathy) of Rocklin, and Noreen Annette Cardinale of Rancho Murieta, and eight grandchildren Alice Sturdevant (Richard), Paul Cardinale, Jeffrey Cardinale (JoAnne), Jeanna Licata (Dan), Josette Cardinale-Brann, Jennifer Laugharn (Ned), Jessica Hitchko (Kevin), and Alisa Cardinale, fourteen great grandchildren Andrew Lenhart, John Lenhart, Katie Lenhart, Jessica Cardinale, Sophia Licata, Giavanna Licata, Sienna Licata, Brandon Souza, Mitch Laugharn, Nick Laugharn, Kylee Hitchko, Kenlee Hitchko, Keiton Hitchko, Kane Hitchko, and four great great grandchildren Colton Lenhart, Hunter Lenhart, Julian Lenhart, and Nathan Lenhart.
Friends and family are invited to a visitation on Thursday, September 7, 2023, from 9:00am to 10:00am with a funeral service at 10:00am at the Pittsburg Funeral Chapel, 2295 Railroad Ave., Pittsburg. Committal following at Holy Cross Cemetery, 2200 East 18th St., Antioch.