It is with deep sorrow and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Sandra L. Ferrara (Sandi), who passed away on February 7, 2025, at the age of 79. Sandi was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, who was known for her warmth, generosity, and love for life.
Born on November 5th,1945, to Clyde and Alma Smith of Santa Cruz, California, Sandi grew up knowing the hardships of farming moving to Arkansas from California several times. After meeting at a Long Island, New York, wedding, Sandi married in 1968 to Anthony “Sonny” Ferrara, the love of her life, who preceded her in death in 2017. Together, they built a beautiful life, raising three sons who all followed in their father’s dreams wherein all three became dedicated law enforcement officers. Sandi was immensely proud of her sons and their commitment to serving their communities.
Many in Citrus County will remember Sandi and Sonny from Ferrara’s Deli and Pizza in Beverly Hills. Their combination of hard work and astounding customer service were known throughout the area for almost 30 years, beginning in 1985. Sandi and her family were fixtures in several venues for decades, catering holiday parties, weddings, anniversaries, and professional ceremonies.
A woman who found joy in the simplest of pleasures, Sandi loved spending time with her family, tending to her garden, and sharing delicious meals she lovingly prepared. She had a passion for cooking, often filling her home with the aroma of her culinary creations. Sandi also found excitement in slot machines, embracing the thrill with the same zest for life she brought to everything she enjoyed experiencing. Moreover, crafting and decorating were hobbies Sandi loved to pursue and she always seemed mischievously gleeful surprising her boys and sisters with her unique and eclectic creations.
Sandi’s lasting legacy will be her unwavering thoughtfulness and positivity. Her infectious smile could light up a room, and it was often said that she never left a person worse off than when she found them. She was a believer in the limitless potential of humankind, a steadfast champion of the underdog, a fiercely independent thinker, and a maker of endless magic to all those who knew her.
Her family and friends will remember her not only for her vibrant spirit but also for the kindness, laughter, and love she shared with everyone she met. Sandi’s memory will live on in the hearts of her three sons, her three sisters (one waiting on her in Heaven), her cherished grandchildren, extended family, and friends.
On Sunday, February 23rd, 2025, at 3:00 p.m., a service will be held to celebrate Sandi’s life at Cornerstone Baptist Church, 1100 W Highland Blvd. in Inverness, Florida.
Sandi will be deeply missed, but her love and spirit will forever remain with those who knew her best.
Chas. E. Davis Funeral Funeral Home With Crematory, Inverness, FL
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