Sandra Mondello

Sandra “Sandy” Lynn (Aquino) Mondello, 57, passed away on August 13, 2023 at her home in Staten Island after a heroic battle with glioblastoma cancer.

Sandy was born in Brooklyn, New York on June 28, 1966 to Richard Aquino and the late Mary Christine Aquino.  She grew up in Staten Island as a child and remained a lifelong resident with her husband where they raised their children in their family home.

Sandy attended Moore Catholic High School and graduated from Wagner College with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics.  She spent her career as a claims adjuster in the “family business” at State Farm for many years, and also worked at Progressive and Plymouth Rock before retiring in 2021 to spend time doing her favorite things including beach days, on the boardwalk at Asbury or at a brewery with her husband, babysitting her grandson who lovingly called her DiDi, or simply having a “pajama day”. 

She had a love for music and attended countless concerts in both large and small venues.  Concert Sandy, as she was known in the circuit also had a podcast dedicated to music, new artists, and featured topics such as advocating for new artists in the modern music industry.  One of her favorite places to be was the beach. It was her happy place.  You could find her there, toes in the sand, reading a book or just listening to the ocean.  But the thing that made her the happiest was when she was with her family, including her dogs, no matter where that was.

She married the love of her life on May 13, 1989, and they set an extraordinary example of what true love looks like.  She hosted almost every holiday and was the anchor and matriarch of the family.  Her laugh was contagious and her sarcastic, sharp, witty, yet loving, tender, and selfless ways touched everyone she met.

She is survived by her husband of 34 years; Jack Mondello, son, Peter Mondello (Danielle) of New Jersey, daughter Amanda Mondello of New York; two sisters: Lea Ruda (Craig) of New Jersey, Kristine Sasso (partner Jim) of New Jersey; three brothers: Jason Aquino (Cindy) of Pennsylvania, Ryan Aquino (Sahar) of New Jersey, and Timothy Aquino of New Jersey; father Richard Aquino and step mother Barbara Aquino of New Jersey; two grandchildren Jack and Riley Mondello (Peter and Danielle); fourteen nieces and nephews and a growing number of great nieces and nephews also survive.

In lieu of flowers we kindly ask for donations in Sandy's name to help drive Glioblastoma Research. Donations can be made at https://fundraise.gbmresearch.org/inhonorofsandy