Sharon R. Ciferno

1967 - 2017

Sharon R. (Regoli) Ciferno, a devoted mother and lifelong school teacher, died in San Diego on Monday, Aug. 14, at the age of 50. She had suffered critical injuries in an accident while on a vacation with her daughter, but after a week of fighting for recovery, she passed peacefully with her family at her side. Her deepest joy was her children, John Joseph, 17, and Alexis, 15, and her husband John, along with countless students she nurtured and encouraged during her 28 years with the Burrell School District. Sharon taught sixth grade at Charles A. Huston Middle School and was remembered by students past and present, as well as parents and fellow faculty, as a loving, funny and determined educator. She not only passed along skills in math, science, reading and history but was also passionate about instilling values of fairness, kindness and generosity. In those instances, she truly led by example. Sharon was born in 1967 to John and Dolly Regoli, the youngest of three children, and lived in New Kensington her whole life. She graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1985 and received her degree in education from the University of Pittsburgh in 1989. In addition to her husband and children, she is survived by both of her parents and her two older brothers, John Jr. and his wife Marla Regoli, and David and his wife Anna Regoli, as well as brothers-in-law Jospeh Ciferno, Jason and his wife Michelle Ciferno, and Jared and his wife Leslie Ciferno. She is also survived by her nephews and nieces: Nico Regoli, Antonio Regoli, Marco Ciferno, Gianna Regoli, Isabella Regoli, Sarah Ciferno and Jayanna Ciferno, as well as numerous cousins, aunts and uncles, and nieces and nephews from the extended Regoli and Zampogna families. She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Adolph and Florence Zampogna, and paternal grandparents, Sam Tamburo and Sue Regoli Tamburo, and cousins Brian Coutch and Grant Piontek. Her brothers recalled that their fondest family memories included the funnel cake business the three siblings ran as teenagers, traveling the state to attend fairs and festivals in order to raise money they used for high school and college tuition. In adulthood, Sharon's happiest activities were hosting large family dinners and carrying on the recipes and traditions taught to her by her mother and grandmothers. Even in their grief, her family was comforted to know that Sharon's long-ago decision to be an organ donor meant that her death would bring life to others. The day after her passing, they learned that several patients, including young children, were able to receive life-giving transplants as a result of her sacrifice. Although she is gone from this life, Sharon lives on in them, through her faith, and within the people she loved.
Friends will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at GIUNTA-BERTUCCI FUNERAL HOME INC., 1509 Fifth Ave., Arnold, JohnPaul Bertucci, owner/supervisor. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Mt. St. Peter Roman Catholic Church. Everyone please meet at the church. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Sharon Ciferno family in care of the funeral home. To leave online condolences, visit www.giunta-bertucci.com.