Sadie Penzato, also loved as Sadie Stellefson, enthusiastically lived her life full to the brim and with great gusto until its peaceful end on May 26, 2024, with family at her side. Born January 9, 1931, in NYC to parents of Sicilian descent, she grew up in New Paltz, NY and remained in the Hudson Valley until relocating to Florida in 2019.
Earning a B.S. from SUNY New Paltz at the age of 35 was the pivotal point in Sadie’s life, “…when my eyes suddenly opened, and a world of opportunities unfolded!” She taught Art and Art History for twenty years at Marlboro High School and was named RISD Outstanding Teacher in 1982. She adored her students, encouraging them to believe in their creative potential and seize that world of opportunities for themselves. Many still tell stories of how her influence profoundly changed their lives. She went on to earn four more degrees including an Ed.D. from Columbia University, of which she was most proud.
A gifted artist, Sadie’s passion was always drawing and painting and hundreds of her works are displayed in homes across the country. She was a prolific writer of poems and essays and is especially remembered for her provocative weekly column in the Southern Ulster Pioneer and as author, composer, lyricist, and producer of four musical adaptations of her autobiography Growing up Sicilian and Female.
She was predeceased by her beloved son, John Paul Stellefson, her brothers, Bernard, Frank and Joseph Penzato, her sister Caroline Kay Penzato and her nephews Joseph Penzato and Joseph Penzato III. She is survived by her daughter, Paula (Steven Nespoli) Stellefson, her later-in-life adopted daughter, Faith (Tony DeBoef) Lucchesi, nieces Linda (Tony) Pantano, Maryann (Frank) Genco, Debra (Carmine) Russo, Diane (George) Balady, Sheila Penzato and nephew Mark Penzato, and many great and great-great nieces and nephews.
Anyone who wishes to attend a celebration of Sadie’s life later this year, may leave contact info at sicilianfe@gmail.com.