Janet L Sala

Janet L. Sala, 69, of Royal Palm Beach, FL, passed away at Cleveland Clinic Hospital Weston with her children at her side after complications related to her chronic lung condition. Preceded in death by her daughter Rebecca Anne Sala, her sister Dr. Kathy Burcin, her parents George and Frances Burcin, and her husband N. Thomas Sala. She is survived by her 5 children- Christine Tomasello, Jennifer Sala, Katherine Costilo, Christopher Sala, and Elizabeth Sala, 3 grandchildren- Adele Tomasello, Asher Costilo, and Charlotte Costilo, as well as her sister Carol Burcin. Janet was born on July 11, 1954 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania where she grew up and graduated from Susquehanna Township High School. She then followed her dream to become a nurse and attended the prestigious Bryn Mawr College where she graduated salutatorian in 1975 as a registered nurse. Janet continued on with her education earning her BSN with honors from the University of Pennsylvania in 1981. She met her husband, Tom, in 1972 and they were married in 1975. They celebrated 47 years of marriage in June 2021 prior to his sudden passing in March 2022. Janet began her prominent career in nursing as an administrator at Bryn Mawr Hospital. When Janet and Tom moved to Ohio in 1981, Janet began working at Epp Memorial Hospital in Cincinnati where she was quickly promoted to Vice President of Clinical Services; one of the youngest females in the country to hold this position at that time. In 1987 Janet, Tom, and their two oldest daughters moved to Palm Beach Gardens, Florida to be closer to Tom’s disabled mother. At this time, Janet began her long career at St. Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach. It was here that she created life long friendships and was affectionately known by her colleagues as “Snow White” and respectfully as the “Supreme Allied Commander.” She spent many years as the Hospital Night Supervisor. At the time of her retirement in 2009, she was the Assistant Director of Nursing. In 2009 Janet, Tom, and her youngest children moved back to Harrisburg to care for Janet’s elderly parents. Following Tom’s retirement, they returned to Florida in 2019 to be closer to their adult children and grandchildren who adoringly called her “Nana.” A devout Catholic and member of the 3rd order of Carmelites, Janet had a profound and unwavering love for the church and her faith. During her daily prayers, she could often be found enjoying her garden and watching the butterflies. Janet and Tom shared the love of football and spent weekends watching the games in their twin recliners. Perhaps the most important title in her life was “Mama” to her six children. Her life was centered around her family and creating a loving and nurturing environment for her children and grandchildren. She instilled many traits in her children including work ethic, responsibility, and the love of family and faith. The family will hold a viewing on November, 6 2023 from 5 to 8 PM at Palms West Funeral Home at 110 Business Parkway in RPB, FL. There will be a ceremony of Catholic Burial on November, 7 2023 at Our Lady Queen of the Apostles Catholic Church on 100 Crestwood Blvd. in RPB, FL at 11AM with a burial immediately following at Our Lady Queen of Peace Cemetery on 10941 Southern Blvd. RPB, FL. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to: The Assistance Fund for Pulmonary Hypertension (tafcares.org) or Our Lady Queen of the Apostles Catholic Church.

Janet L Sala

July 11, 1954 - October 24, 2023