Sara Bervoets Tripiciano passed away at the age of 90 on January 23, 2026, in Mooresville, N.C. She was born Sara Ann Bervoets on January 19, 1936, in Nashville, Tenn., to Louis and Sarah (May Johnson) Bervoets.

She grew up in Nashville, Tenn., where she graduated from Sacred Heart Catholic High School in 1954. After high school, Sara attended the Peabody School for Teachers at Vanderbilt University. Sara worked as a teacher in Key West, Fla.; Bermuda; and Columbus, Ohio. It was in Bermuda that she met her husband, Patrick Paul Tripiciano, whom she married on September 1, 1962. Throughout their life together, Sara and Pat lived in Rochester, N.Y.; Hacienda Heights, Calif.; and Naperville, Ill., where they raised their four daughters.

While Sara was primarily a full-time mother, she also worked as a children’s librarian at the Nichols Library and as a historical guide at Naper Settlement, while living in Naperville. Following Pat’s retirement, he and Sara settled in the community of Fairfield Glade, Tenn., where she was involved at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church and was a member of several garden and book clubs. She served as a student mentor through the Cumberland County School District. Sara was a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Colonial Dames of America. She loved attending concerts and plays and was an avid reader. She was always kind and friendly and raised her daughters to be strong, independent, thoughtful women.

Sara is survived by her husband of 63 years, Patrick, and their children Tricia Roh (Scott) of Neenah, Wis., Paula (Tom) Kelly of Mooresville, N.C., Laura Tripiciano (Anthony Eshelman) of Sauk Rapids, Minn., and Monica (John) Burrous of Lafayette, Colo. Other survivors include her eight grandchildren (JC, Matthew, Kendall, Payton, Quinlan, Habtamu, Oliver and Nicholas), along with many nieces and nephews.

Sara was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Theresa Sutherland, and brother Louis Bervoets.

Memorials in memory of Sara may be directed to Reading Is Fundamental (RIF.org) or a charity of your choice.

Cavin-Cook Funeral Home, Mooresville, is serving the family of Mrs. Tripiciano. Condolences may be made to the family at www.cavin-cook.com.