Fedora Ferro

Fedora "Dora" Ferro, 87, of Monroe, passed away surrounded by love from her family on Friday, November 21, 2025. Fedora was born in San Bartolomeo in Galdo, Italy, to Alberico and Grazia Martini. There she lived with her four sisters, Michelina, Natalina, Carmelina, and Anna, and two brothers, Antonio and Giovanni. Fedora stepped into a maternal role at the young age of six due to her mother's death. She lived a very simple life with her siblings until she eventually had the opportunity to study in Florence. When she was eighteen, she headed for a new life in America. She first lived in Canada with family, where she met her husband, Isidoro. They married in New York in 1960 and shared 63 wonderful years together.

Fedora was deeply dedicated to her family. She and her youngest sister, Michelina, married two brothers, Izzy and Mike, and they lived in a two-family house in the Bronx with their mother-in-law. There she raised her two daughters, Marie and Diane, and took care of everyone. They created great memories as one big family. There were big Sunday dinners, fun holidays, vacations to Lake George, car trips to Montreal, Pittsburgh, and Connecticut to visit family, and so many other unforgettable times. Not only were there beautiful times, but there were also more difficult times as well with the eventual sicknesses of her sister, Michelina, and brother-in-law, Mike, but Fedora still managed to help take care of them yet keep a smile on everyone's face.

When Marie and Diane were young, she got a job at a dress factory, but eventually she was able to pursue her passion as a hairdresser. She attended Fordham Beauty School with her sister, Michelina, and one of her best friends, Rosetta. That was the beginning of her career as not only a hairdresser but basically a therapist, always listening and offering her practical advice and wisdom. In 1992, Fedora moved to the suburbs in Monroe, New York, to start a new beginning. There she helped to raise her grandchildren as she continued her career cutting hair at a salon. Fedora's life was fulfilled by being with people. She loved cooking dinners for family and friends, sharing a cup of coffee with anyone that would join her, enjoying her home and beautiful landscaping, her summer vacations in Brigantine with family, and just being there for everyone that needed her.

Unfortunately, her husband, Izzy, got sick, and she became his caretaker, not wanting help from anyone. She was strong and independent and made the best of the situation as she always did. After he passed in 2023, so did a piece of her.

Fedora had an open door and an open heart. Her love for everyone was unconditional. Everyone who encountered Fedora was forever changed. She was a radiant light filled with love and grace. She was truly a special person who comes along once in a lifetime.

Fedora was predeceased by her father, Alberico, her mother, Grazia, her sister, Michelina, and brother, Giovanni. She is survived by her daughters, Marie and Diane, her son-in-law, Richie, her grandchildren, Deanna and husband, Louis, Alexa and husband, Christopher, Krista and her husband, Michael, and Andrew and her great grandchildren, Louis, Nicolette, Alex, and Valentina.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St Jude Children's Hospital stjude.org