Sara Jane “Sally” DiZinno
Sara Jane “Sally” (Burns) DiZinno, of Milton, died Tuesday, February 11, 2020.
Beloved wife of Richard J. DiZinno; loving mother of Christopher J. DiZinno and his wife Denise of Dorchester; Patrice DiZinno of Milton; Richard E. DiZinno and his wife Sarah Arneson of Washington, D.C.; Peter A. DiZinno and his wife Arlet of Marlboro; and Julie E. Berger and her husband Martin of Chicago, IL; cherished grandmother of Frank and Jack Hawker; Colin and Maya DiZinno; Charles and Sofia DiZinno; and Evelyn Berger. Predeceased by her parents, John and Mary Burns of Dorchester; and sister, Mary Pauline Atton of Riverdale, NY.
Known to her husband Dick and their many friends as Sally; to her five children as Mom or, lovingly, as “Sally D”; to her childhood friends as Sara Jane; and to her seven grandchildren as Nana; she passed away after courageously battling a series of complications resulting from a stroke suffered last November. The stroke damaged her mind and rendered the entire left side of her body severely limited, but couldn’t steal away her wit, feistiness, and courage.
A constant whirl of vitality, she was at her core a social animal who loved to be around family and friends at all times. She will be remembered for her boundless energy and social engagement by her family; her childhood buddies from Dorchester, where she was born and raised; her adult companions from Milton, where she lived with Dick since 1970; and her Cape friends from Mashpee, where she spent summers with Dick since 2012.
A devoted Catholic and niece to a Jesuit priest, she spent 20 years as a Eucharistic Minister, 15 years as an involved parent of five St. Agatha School children, and her entire adult life as an active member of the Church. Early in her career, she worked as a teacher in the Boston public school system. After 17 years of raising five children, she returned to teaching in the Quincy public schools where she worked for 22 years.
Never one to miss a party, she thrived on bringing people together and having fun, whether it was with family, friends, or usually a mix of both. Her dinner table was the hub of activity for every holiday and special event. She was especially fond of Thanksgiving and Christmas, when our family gathered along with anyone who needed companionship. No matter who you were or what your circumstances, you were always welcome over Sally’s house for a good meal and a warm embrace. She cared for so many others over the course of her life, including her mother, father, sister, and other relatives. Even as her own health started to fail, she continued to look out and care for her family and friends.
But her proudest achievement was being a loving mom to five kids, and affectionate grandmother to seven. She spent years shuttling her kids to hockey, baseball, softball, basketball, and volleyball games all over New England. In her latter years, she doted lovingly on her grandchildren through sleep-overs, play dates at her home and at playgrounds, and gifts she showered upon them at birthdays and holidays. She was proud of all of their accomplishments and let anyone who would listen know about them.
Our hearts are heavy with her loss. But we take solace knowing that she is already planning a get together in heaven, sharing fun, laughter, and happiness with her family and friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Agatha Church, Adams Street at Brook Road, Milton, Saturday, February 29 at 10:00 AM. Relatives and friends are invited.
In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution in the name of the Sara DiZinno Scholarship to the Quincy Retired Teachers Scholarship Fund, c/o George Umscheid, Treasurer, 124 Briar Lane, Westwood, MA 02090.
Guestbook Entries
Dear DiZinno Family: So many good memories of your mom and entire family growing up. (My personal favorite was the BC-Army road trip to West Point.) Mr. and Mrs. DiZinno were such good friends to my parents through the good times and difficult ones. When our dad became ill, Mrs. DiZinno would constantly check in on my parents to see what they needed. When our dad passed, she would always check in on our mom. Just a great person. Thinking of all of you during this difficult time.
Dear Dick and family,
I am so sorry for the loss of Sally. She was such a wonderful gift of support to me when I was struggling with health and then with the loss of my husband. May she rest with the angels and guide you all. May Her Memory Be Eternal. Love, Audrey
Dick,
There is nothing I can say to you or your family at this time that will make you feel better. Sara was my cousin, and I will miss her very much. I thank God I got to see her. It was a very good visit and she knew me. I will always remember that.
God bless all of you.
Love,
Sandra
Sally was always so fun and vibrant. I can still hear her voice on our college dorm room voice mail….”Hello…I’m looking for the Jewelry Department? Julie?”. Such happy memories of times we were with her. Our thoughts are with you DiZinnos! Hugs- Chrissy and Ben Holden
Dick and family,
I was saddened to hear of Sara’s passing.
So many fond memories of working with her at “Wolly World”.
Always full of life and energy.
May your memories guide you through this difficult time.
Thoughts and prayers,
Vin & Nancy McGuire
Our family is thinking of all of you at this sad time. “Mrs. DiZinno” was a wonderful teacher who made a difference at the Wollaston School. She took a special interest in our son Ryan and his hockey because of her own involvement during your family’s college years. We will miss seeing her around town at Milton Fruit Center and elsewhere. Please know that we are keeping you in our prayers.
Sincerely, Mike & Marty McFarland
Quincy MA
Dick and family,
How sad that Sara has left us……she was so full of life and a fun friend. She and I were on the sunshine committee at Wollaston School and she certainly bought sunshine into my life. The last timeI saw her was at Barbara Scolaros anniversary and I shall treasure the memories of her friendship.
My sympathy reaches out to the family…..may you find comfort in remembering the beautiful spirit she was.
Our sincerest sympathy to you Dick and your family on the loss of Sally. Our thoughts and prayers are with.
Jim and Deb McCue
We are really sad that our sweet and happy Aunt Sally left us so early. Her memory will stay with us forever. Her kindness, smile, and good heart touched us all and will never be forgotten.
Praying for your healing, comfort and memories of joy during this difficult time.
Love,
Nina and Jeremy
Dearest Dick and family,
Words cannot begin to describe the tremendous loss that your family, friends and the universe has suffered. Sally “Sal” DiZinno was one of my favorite people to be around. She was sincerely thoughtful, kind, loving, hysterical, faithful and always a complete blast. Sal always had a hilarious new tale to tell while enjoying the company of family, friends and all of her families friends. You always felt completely welcome in her home. She was the ultimate hostess. One of my favorite Sally stories that I love to tell to this very day was when she made such a positive impact on an elementary school Student in need at the Wollaston school in Quincy. Her student named Steven (I think) waited until his grandfather fell asleep and quietly slid his credit card out of his wallet to order a sparkling fine cocktail ring from the HSN to give to Sally as a Christmas gift. I am quite sure the love that that little boy felt for her was common amongst all of her her students. This world is a little sadder now that Sally has passed but I am quite sure that heaven just got a lot more fun. God bless the DiZinno family, RIP Sally DiZinno and always remember to proudly display your OFD bumper sticker. ❤️Diane Call
Dear Mr DiZinno and family,
I was sad to learn that Sally had died. Please accept my heartfelt condolences. It seems like only yesterday that Sally was zipping around town and talking about her family. I admired her energy, her good humor, her generosity, and her quick wit. She was blessed to have a loving family around her. With affection and deep sympathy, I hope your fond memories of Sally will give you comfort. God bless each one of you.
Warm regards,
Mary Lou Ashur MD
I am absolutely devastated by this news that I heard today. I cant explain how much Sally and Dick means to my family. We were next door neighbors with this wonderful family for a long time. Sally was so wonderful to my father Bob Macomber the last few years of his life. Everytime i saw Sally walking over the past few years we would stop and catch up. She was an absolute angel. My prayers are with this beautiful family. My thoughts will be with Dick through this time. God bless this family…..
Dear Dick and family,
We were so saddened to learn of Sally’s passing. We met her and Dick in the fall of 2017 when we temporarily moved to the same Mashpee condo complex. Sally’s warmth and beautiful smile were like rays of sunshine always made us feel so welcomed. We were blessed to have known her. Her good heart and spirit will always be remembered. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you, your children, and grandchildren.
Fondly,
Linda and Michael Loeb
To the entire DiZinno family, I send my condolences. “Mrs. DiZinno” my 5th grade teacher, will always hold a place in my heart as someone who made an 11 year olds move to a new part of Quincy and a new school an enjoyable one. She played an important role in so many student’s lives and was an integral part in the development and maturing of so many people from Quincy.