Saundra Lee Sears Salerno, 85, passed away on March 17, 2024, in Largo, Florida of complications from dementia. The daughter of Walter and Gretta Sears of North Warren, she was born on June 2, 1938, and was an only child. Saundra graduated from Warren Area High School in 1956 and from Bryant Stratton College in Buffalo in 1958.
In July, 1960, she married Louis James Salerno of Warren and celebrated 46 years of marriage until his death in 2006. They lived in Texas while Louis was in the Army, then back to Warren and Corry for several years. Saundra was a legal secretary in Warren for Attorney Sam Bonavita in the 1960’s and ‘70s. They moved to St. Petersburg, FL in 1981 where she worked for Ohio Casualty Insurance until her retirement.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by one infant son, Bruno, born in 1962 in Texas.
Saundra is survived by two daughters – Stephanie Salerno of Tampa and her wife, Roseann Giovenco, and Jennifer Salerno Nix of Key Largo and her husband, Jack Nix. Two grandchildren she adored also survive – Dr. Shelby Nix Martin, DVM, and her husband, Cory Martin, and Jackson Nix and his fiancé, Lauren West. Three great grandsons Wyatt Martin, Levi Martin, and Jude Nix, brought Saundra much joy in her later years. She is also survived by several close cousins, nieces and nephews, and dear friends.
Saundra lived for many years at Grand Villa of Largo after Louis’ passing and the family would like to thank everyone there who cared for her and became her friend during that time.
Contributions in memory of Saundra may be made to the Warren Public Library at www.warrenlibrary.org <www.warrenlibrary.org/> or to a charity of one’s choice. E-mail condolences may be sent by visiting www.lewisfuneralhomeinc.com <www.lewisfuneralhomeinc.com/>.
A memorial service for both Saundra and Louis Salerno will be held at the convenience of the family in the future and arranged through the Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home, Inc., in Warren.
Condolences to the Salerno family and too all those graced by her presence.
Saundra is my cousin and she was wonderful to me. I’ve been missing her for a while, now, but I won’t be missing her much longer. Praise the Lord.
Saundra will be missed greatly, especially by the Lance family and David. He and Saundra were best friends at Baybrook. She was a special person and always had a hug for us all. Our sincere sympathy to the family.