Sally A. Casanova

Sally Ann Fitzgerald, born July 6, 1935 in McKinney, Virginia to Joseph and Patsy Fitzgerald, was called home January 5, 2020 with her children by her bedside. Sally, the ninth of twelve children, attended Virginia Avenue Elementary and Peabody High School in Petersburg, Virginia. Subsequent to the passing of her mother, at age 14 she relocated to Brooklyn where she resided with relatives. During that time she attended Tilden High School but later transferred to Palmer Memorial boarding school in North Carolina. There she completed and received her High School diploma. Upon graduation Sally began her career in the medical field as a Nurses’ Aide at Queens General Hospital. In 1955, through a blind date arrangement she was introduced to her late husband Ralph Joseph Casanova. They married April 6, 1958 and out of that union came three children; Kevin, Tammy, and Raphael. In 1970, she pursued her dream of becoming a registered nurse and enrolled in Nassau Community College in Garden City, NY. She graduated in 1972 and began a 30 year nursing career at Mercy Medical Center, Rockville Center NY. Throughout her professional tenure she was presented with several Appreciation and Service awards and also served on the hospital Safety Committee. Sally joined her husband in retirement in 2002, and in 2003 they relocated to Las Vegas, NV to continue their favorite pastime – travel. Together they traveled the world experiencing the beauty and riches of Italy, Greece, Croatia, Panama, Alaska, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Sally’s favorite, Hawaii. Sally was also active in her Las Vegas Siena Community where she volunteered her time serving on the Parking & Safety Committee. Sally loved “people” and they loved her. She had an outgoing personality in which she was often found striking up conversations with strangers. She was so friendly that even the grocery store clerks knew her on a first name basis. She had many interests and hobbies that included travel, shopping, jewelry, shoes, walking, picture puzzles, crossword puzzles, knitting and crocheting. Sally was also a member of the Impromptu Club; a woman’s social group that outreached to the community planning and organizing community social events as well as donating to families in need at Christmas. Sally was also known for her strength and tenacity to overcome. As a former breast and five year pancreatic cancer survivor, she fought a good fight and she finished her course. Her faith in her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ carried her through many challenging days. While receiving chemotherapy treatments her personal ministry was encouraging others in their fight to survive cancer. The nurses loved her and would often call on her to support and encourage other women. Family was central to Sally’s life. The affectionately displayed pictures throughout her home brought a sense of warmth to the heart. She loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great grand. Sally was the epitome of a wife, mother, and friend. She loved, supported and nurtured many with her acts of kindness and exemplified the life of a Proverbs 31 woman. She leaves behind three children; Kevin (Marsha), Tammy Stradford (Wendell), and Raphael (Cassandra), five grandchildren Courtney Bryant (Tyrone), Tyler, Julian (deceased), Christian, Cayden and Cameron, one great-granddaughter, Taylor-Jade; one sister Mona Wright, two brothers; Charles and Horace Fitzgerald (Mary), and a host of nieces and nephews.

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