Obituary of Mary Frances Sarao

Mary Frances Sarao (Helm) passed away at her home at The Oaks of Denville, NJ, on March 20, 2023, at the age of 97.

Born in Washington, D.C., she had lived in Hasbrouck Heights, NJ for 42 years before moving to Denville, NJ in 1995.

Mary Frances achieved her Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Trinity University Washington, D.C. She raised her family of four children and then began a career as a social worker for the Bergen County Division of Social Services.

She enjoyed nature, trees in particular, and loved going to the beach. She was beautiful, smart, loving, and a kind soul to all, with the patience of a saint. She had incredible perseverance throughout her life!  Above all else, she loved to spend time with her adoring family.

Mary Frances was predeceased by her beloved husband of 55 years, Benjamin M. Sarao, in 2005.

She is survived by her brothers Joseph Helm of Huntley, IL; and Herbert Helm of Canoga Park, CA; sister Ludmila Rogers of Southport, NC; her loving children Elaine Sarao and her husband Paul Kervin of Washington, D.C.; Benjamin Sarao and his wife Suzanne Saylor of Mesa, AZ; Christopher Sarao and his wife Diane Sarao of Lubec, ME; and Mary Ann Sarao and her husband Brian Whaley of Morris Township, NJ.  She is also survived by her cherished grandchildren David, Alex, John, Nick, Nicole, and C.J. and his wife Ana, as well as her great granddaughter Esme’.

Visitation will be held on Sunday March 26, 2023, from  1:00PM – 5:00PM At Norman Dean Home for Services 16 Righter Avenue Denville, NJ 07834 www.normandean.com. (http://www.normandean.com/).  A funeral Mass will be held on Monday March 27, at 10:00AM at St. Mary’s Church in Denville, NJ, followed by burial at Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Wrightstown, NJ.

Memorial Donations can be made in her memory to the Covenant House by way of

inmemof.org.  (http://www.inmemof.org/). or to Trinity University Washington, DC by way of https://discover.trinitydc.edu/development/give/