Sarah Melone is from central New York and grew up in a large Italian and Irish Catholic family.

Sundays were ‘family days’. “I think that is when I started to identify service to others as stemming from how you work together as a family unit. I remember afternoon dinners with extended family, as well as family activities, dinners, and Masses on Sunday evenings with the family church group. Those families in our local church group became our ‘family friends’ and service activities, holidays, and church milestones were celebrated together with them. I still remember them as the core of my community as a child.”

Catholic education was a priority for Sarah’s family. She attended the University of Scranton to achieve a B.S. in Physical Therapy. It was there she met Paul, and easily bonded over similar backgrounds and family upbringing. While at the University of Scranton, Sarah was steeped in the Jesuit traditions. “It was not lost on us how fortunate we were to gain such a strong education, and it was encouraged by the university to involve ourselves in community service activities. I remember providing programs to local neighborhood youth and developmentally disabled adults in the Scranton area through service projects with my Physical Therapy class. It was an outlet from our studies, and a positive experience to see how our small programs made a big impact on their lives.”

Ms. Sarah Melone

Paul and Sarah married in 1995 and moved to Tenafly after Paul finished his residencies in 1997 to join the orthodontics practice of his uncle, Dr. Ralph DelPriore. They were introduced to their community of OLMC, and began to find their way among friends at OLMC and Knickerbocker Country Club. “I think at that time we were searching for a place to belong, and OLMC was that inviting, familiar place for us.” Hoping to meet more people, Sarah volunteered as a catechist and Fr. Ashley introduced them to other young couples in the parish. They attended social events to support the school, long before they would dream of having children attend it.

Their road to parenthood took an interesting journey. Luke, Sophia and Eliana were born at FANA, an orphanage in Colombia. “Our lives are forever blessed by these gifts, and we in turn will continue to serve FANA’s needs as well as we can. It is important for our children to learn by this example and reach out to others so that they may have similar benefits that we do. I think seeing how they are able to give back to the community where they came from, leaves an impact on them to show that same kindness in all communities they are a part of.”

As young parents, they began to meet more families in the parish community and have formed strong bonds over the years. When Sarah saw a need among parents in the special education community where they were involved in their own child’s education, it was natural for her to figure out a way to address the challenging issues. Sarah co-founded MarbleJam Kids, in 2007, to meet the needs of children with autism spectrum disorders and developmental disabilities. With the help of close family, friends and parish community, the program began as a creative arts therapy intervention to address social, emotional and creative needs of the children. Nearly 12 years later, the organization has grown. One of the highly known specialized film camp programs, MarbleJam Kids, is hosted each summer by OLMC. “When I first approached Father Leonard to support the program for those with special needs, he was truly excited as it fit exactly into his mission that ‘All are welcome.’ Years later, Father Dan continues to cheer for the campers each summer and applauds the experience they are having while at OLMC.”  She adds, “OLMC is truly the foundation for our faith community, and our children identify with the friends we have here as our family.” Sarah feels that when you are a part of a positive environment, it is easy to give your time and talents.

Many years ago a newsletter arrived from Sarah’s alma mater, which read: “Of those to whom much is given, much is to be expected.” “As I get older, I think back to the root of all my blessings. It comes from family and faith. My good fortune is rooted in the love my parents had for each other, in the support and strength they gave to their children, in the family I have created, and in the friends and community I surround myself with. All of this has been directed and made possible because of God, and because of the strength and love we get from our community of faith.” Sarah will continue to serve the community as well as she is able. “I find that it is easy to do when you are surrounded by a loving family and supportive husband, incredible friends, and individuals in a positive community. I certainly have not accomplished projects on my own. Yes, much has been given to me, and the basis of what was given is in the form of God’s love and our faith. As a recipient of many blessings I am grateful to be in a position to give something back.”