Sara Rini Aversa was born July 8, 1932, in Joliet, Illinois to the late Dominic and Anna Rini.  

Sara was an artist who interpreted her world as a beautiful “famiglia,” gathering friends and family into her circle of faith and love.  As a loving wife of 57 years to Terrance Earl Aversa, Sara was his steadfast partner in family and in business.  She held a degree in Interior Design, and as a world traveler, experienced the beauty in all cultures, seeding and nurturing the love of art, music, and travel.  Together, Terry and Sara, preserved the historical McLaughlin residence at 903 Western in Joliet, IL, raising their seven children while starting their own businesses, The Red Carpet Salon in Joliet and upscale women’s fashion stores in Illinois and Wisconsin, now called Aversa.  Sara’s deep faith guided her to create, serve, and celebrate the beauty in people, nature, and community, especially cooking and sharing exceptional Italian cuisine.  She inspired self-care, body-mind-soul, and modeled dedication to family, friends, philanthropic causes, and her community at The Clare in Chicago.

She is survived by her seven children; three sons, David (Patricia) Aversa, Aaron (Lori) Aversa, and John (Christine) Aversa; four daughters, Reine (Mark) Jeremias, Nina (Henry Sotomayor) Aversa, Maria Aversa Stadler, and Angela Aversa; twelve grandchildren, the late Aaron Jeremias, Mark Jr. (Reine and Mark), David Jr and Dominic (David and Patricia), Michael (Jessica) Maher, Aaron Jr, and John (Aaron and Lori), Sarah (William) Costello, Joseph Stadler, and Adam Stadler (Maria), Anna and William (John and Christine); three great-grandchildren, Adelina, Dominic and Giuliana; two nieces, Cynthia and Lauren Rini (daughters of the late Louis and Beverly Rini).

A visitation will be held on Sunday, August 18, 2024 from 2pm to 5pm at Adolf & Powell Funeral Home, 7000 S Madison St, Willowbrook, IL 60527

Friends will gather on Monday August 19, 2024 for an 11am funeral mass at St John of The Cross Catholic Church, 5005 Wolf Rd, Western Springs, IL 60558. Inurnment will take place at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Elwood, IL. 

In lieu of flowers, Sara’s wishes are that all memorial donations to be made to Menninger at https://www.menningerclinic.org/