Victoria M. Salerno

Victoria M. Salerno, March 13, 1942-February 6, 2025

During the late evening of February 6, 2025, Victoria “Vicky” Salerno, née Sasso passed away at her home in Kenilworth surrounded by her loving family. Born in Newark on March 13, 1942 to the late Pietro and Apollonia Sasso, née Del Vecchio, who were proud natives of Castelnuovo di Conza, Provincia di Salerno, Italy, Vicky was a graduate of St. Michaels High School in Newark and started family life at a young age, marrying the late Rocco J. Salerno of Kenilworth in 1963. The following year they welcomed their son Jerry R. Salerno and within four years, daughters Denise A. Salerno Gorman, M.D. and Marcy M. Hackett. As a homemaker, Vicky embraced motherhood with a passion and helped to build a beautiful home life and family. She made sure academics were a top priority for her children along with recreational activities and sports. She was a classroom mother, and her home was a welcome magnet for her children’s friends, where they were guaranteed a great meal of baked ziti or cavatelli and broccoli, which were two of her signature dishes.

A parishioner of St. Theresa’s in Kenilworth for over 60 years, she was a member of the Holy Rosary Society and the Columbiettes. She taught CCD and became principal of the elementary grade program. As a Rosarian, she participated in the weekly bowling league and helped to plan many of the church’s annual activities. Summer was her favorite time of the year, the backyard pool was open and used daily as a center of entertaining, except for two weeks set aside for the annual family vacation. Vacations included trips to California, Hawaii, Florida and several cruises to the Caribbean and South America. These trips provided memories for a lifetime.

When her children were through elementary school, she entered the workforce as a dental assistant. Her work life took a major turn when she went to “help out” in the office of her father-in-law and husband’s family business, Sun Plastics Co. and Dynamic L.P. Stereo Record Pressing—the longest running manufacturers of vinyl phonograph records in the United States. The move was precipitous as her husband Rocco passed away suddenly at the age of 44 in 1985, right at the time of the burgeoning hip-hop/rap business. Now running the office, the former suburban homemaker helped fledgling urban rappers learn the steps of how to turn their recordings into store-ready commercial vinyl for DJs and consumers. Many became household names in the rap industry.

She remained in the business until her retirement in 2009, when she turned her full attention to her greatest calling: being a grandparent. The pain of widowhood at 42 was replaced with pure joy as she welcomed her grandchildren into the world. As a prolific shopper, she provided for them not only with an abundance of gifts and clothing, but by attending every activity and school function possible. Additionally, sleepovers, playing Rummy 500, watching Hallmark movies and engaging in conversation late into the night were all top activities enjoyed at her house with her grandchildren.
While Vicky enjoyed traveling to Europe (especially Italy) and religious sites, she particularly treasured her over 25 trips to Aruba with her grandchildren by her side in her later years.  The disengagement mandated by COVID proved to be a real setback for her. Limited personal time with friends and family took its toll and in February 2023, she fell ill resulting in eight months of hospital time over the following year and a half before facing her final hospital stint in January 2025.

Despite losing her father and husband in a 13-day period in 1985, as well as having faced several medical challenges, she never once complained about the hand she was dealt and focused on family first, embracing her children and grandchildren with boundless love and that is the true testament of her legacy.

She was predeceased by her siblings Antonio, Gabriella (Ed), Leonardo (Rose), Pietro and Mario (Lynn). She leaves behind her children Jerry (Leanne) Salerno, Denise Salerno, M.D. (Robert) Gorman, Marcy (Patrick) Hackett, and her seven grandchildren Damara Carousis, Arianna Salerno, Christopher Gorman, Rocco Salerno, Dominic Gorman, James and Victoria Hackett.

Family and friends are invited to the visitation at Galante Funeral Home at 2800 Morris Ave., Union on Monday February 10, 2025. A viewing will be held from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM. A Mass will take place, Tuesday February 11, starting at 10:30 AM at St. Theresa Church in Kenilworth followed by the interment at Hollywood Memorial Park in Union. 

In lieu of flowers, please send donations made out to:
Seton Hall Preparatory School
120 Northfield Avenue West Orange, NJ 07052
ATTN: Rocco and Victoria Salerno Memorial Scholarship Fund

Or use the following link and in the Leave a Comment Section include ATTN: Rocco and Victoria Salerno Memorial Scholarship Fund.
https://www.shp.org/giving/make-a-gift