Pauline J. Sala, 101, formerly of Fitchburg

Pauline J. (Gerante) Sala, 101, formerly of Fitchburg, passed away peacefully on September 7, 2026 surrounded by her loving family. Pauline was born in Fitchburg on August 11, 1925, a daughter of the late Sebastiano and Antoinette (Turrito) Gerante who immigrated to America from Sicily. Pauline worked part time at Sala’s Market, the family grocery store that her second husband, Charlie, owned. She did everything from making potato salad every Friday morning, to answering phones, cashiering, and helping in the process of delivering groceries to homebound residents long before Amazon or online shopping existed in our lives. Owning a grocery store meant that food was a big part of life and family get-togethers. Whether it was a summer barbecue, Sunday dinner, or late night breakfasts after midnight Mass, Pauline was always up to cook for a crowd. In her later life, she loved to travel, and has visited National Parks with her son, Hawaii with friends, Italy with her church, and Sicily with her brother and sister. During that time, she never tired or wavered from her weekly card games with friends, which she played religiously for over 50 years. She discovered a gift for knitting everything from afghans for each of her grandchildren, blankets for newborns, and prayer shawls for strangers. As a role model to her 4 children and their spouses, her 11 grandchildren, and her 13 great grandchildren, Pauline’s long and full life teaches us that friends and family matter most. It’s a simple life lesson…treat people with kindness, listen well, laugh often, see the best in others, make room at the kitchen table, and play cards to win. Pauline is survived by her children, Norma DiPasquale and her husband Bernard of Fitchburg, Anthony Membrino and his wife Patricia of Lunenburg, Paul Membrino and his wife Julie of Westminster, and Teresa Imhoff and her husband Peter of Dublin, NH; grandchildren, David Beaulac and wife Amy, Michael Beaulac, James Beaulac and wife Conneely, Jill Membrino, Melissa Membrino and husband Michael Sherman, Paul Membrino and wife Ali Lincoln, Thomas Membrino and wife Danielle, Joshua Imhoff, Charlie Imhoff, and Bette Imhoff; 13 great grandchildren; a sister Virginia Carter of Fitchburg and many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins. Pauline was predeceased by her first husband Anthony Membrino as well as her second husband Charles Sala; granddaughter, Tricia Membrino; siblings, Vito Gerante, Theresa Liberatore, Anna Valeri, and Jane Stoddard. Pauline's Funeral Mass will be celebrated 11 AM Friday, September 11, 2026 at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 84 Salem Street, Fitchburg. Interment will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery. Pauline's family will receive relatives and friends at a visitation period Friday from 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM at the Isabelle & Anderson Funeral Home, 316 Clarendon Street, Fitchburg. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to Nashoba Park Assisted Living, Employees Christmas Fund, 15 Winthrop Ave. Ayer, MA 01432.

Pauline J. Sala, 101, formerly of Fitchburg

August 11, 1925 - September 7, 2026