Sandra Mortellaro

Sandra Mortellaro, 80, of Tampa, Florida, passed away peacefully on August 10, 2025 surrounded by her loved ones.

Sandra was born on September 28th, 1944, in Tampa, Florida to Albert and Mary Jorge. She was the first blind person to be accepted into the Hillsborough County School System. She attended West Tampa Junior High School where she was named Homecoming Queen. In 1963, she graduated from Jefferson High School with the honor of being named Miss Senior. Upon graduation, she married and spent the next 55 wonderful years with her husband, Jim Mortellaro. Sandra was a medical transcriber until her retirement in 2019.

Sandra was a pillar, light, and matriarch for her family, raising three children, her six grandchildren, and her great-granddaughter. Her home was always open to her family, whether they needed her wisdom, kindness, or just a warm, home-cooked meal. She was an example to us all on the importance of being there for one another and being a beacon of boundless and selfless love, a lesson we shall all carry with us.

Sandra is survived by her aunt, Rose Spicola; two brothers, Richard (Linda) and James (Dee); her three children, Pete (Pam), Gina (Pete), and Michelangelo (Bethany); her grandchildren, Gregory (Olivia), Alexandria (Joseph), Olivia, Enzo, Luca, and Gio; her great granddaughter, Eleanor; and her loyal dogs, Sophia and Jessie.

The family would also like to recognize Sandra's granddaughter, Alexandria, for her incredible display of selfless care for her over the years. Without her dedication to Sandra's health, we wouldn't have had as much time to build memories with her.

Sandra will be laid to rest with her beloved husband at L'Unione Italiana Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Seeing Eye, Inc. in her memory.