Sara (Cotoia) Dias

of Cranston passed away on January 15, 2021, at home surrounded by her loving children. She was married for 42 years to the love of her life, the late Joseph R. Dias Sr.

Born in Providence, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Jennie (Manzo) Cotoia.

Sara deeply loved her family, and she was the most loving, caring, and generous mother. She often shared stories about growing up on Federal Hill with her ten brothers and sisters. It was there she learned the values of God, family, and work which she passed along to each of her children. She lovingly supported her five children. She was always present with her guidance and enduring love - always reminding them to be grateful for everything God has given to them. Sara was not just proud of her children. She VALUED them, she supported them, and she created a bond of closeness among her children that is unyielding. The void we feel with her passing will be filled with the love she has instilled in each of us.

Everyone who knew Sara loved her. As a Cranston crossing guard, she greeted children and families each day with her beautiful smile and they would often show their appreciation with homemade cards and gifts. Sara was a cashier at Stop and Shop for many years. Customers would wait in Sara’s check out line - no matter how long it was - just to see Sara. She did not treat them as customers but rather like her friends. Her smile, wonderful sense of humor, and ability to connect to people is her legacy. She ALWAYS made people feel welcome and special. When her sons’ opened Jodony’s Restaurant in Cranston, it was Sara who greeted everyone by name with her signature smile and ability to make everyone feel at home.

Sara was a wonderful cook and treasured the holidays when the whole family gathered in her home. Sara lived life to its fullest from enjoying her home in New Hampshire to playing Black Jack at the casino. Above all, she found the most joy spending time with her children and grandchildren.

Sara is survived by her loving children: Nancy Dias, Joseph Dias and his wife Lori, Donald Dias and his wife Carolyn and Jeannine Dias; her cherished grandchildren: John Dias, Joseph Dias, Donald Dias and Raymond Bagley; her brothers: Anthony Cotoia, Joseph Cotoia, Louis Cotoia and Paul Cotoia; her sisters, Lucy Vingi and Anna Belmonte. She was the mother of the late Maria Dias and the sister of the late, John, Frank, Donald and Nancy Cotoia.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her Mass of Christian Burial in Saint Rocco’s Church 927 Atwood Ave, Johnston on Thursday, Jan. 21st, at 10:00 a.m. SEATING WILL BE LIMITED. A livestream of her Mass will be shown via Nardolillo Funeral Home Facebook page: www.Facebook.com/nardolillofh. Masks are required and social distancing will be observed.  Visiting hours are respectfully omitted. Burial will be private.

The Family would like to express their deep gratitude to Dr. Antoine Kardous along with his staff and to Sandra and Nichia from Golden Rose for the years of loving care they gave to Sara.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Continuum Care Hospice of Rhode Island, 1350 Division Road Suite 205 West Warwick, RI 02893.