Sarah "Mamaw" Accardo

She was born September 7, 1911, in Lake Charles, Louisiana, to Mary Latino Collura and John Collura, and had been a lifelong resident of the Beaumont area. 

Sarah married Nick Accardo on November 12, 1933, and to this marriage three children were born, Carmelene, Nickey, and Carl. In her early years, Sarah worked at S.H. Kresses, and then later retired from The Fair Store.  She was always boasting about how she loved taking care of her many customers in the dress, hat and wig departments. Nick and Sarah also owned and operated a neighborhood grocery store, Accardo Grocery and Market on Avenue G in Beaumont from 1943 until 1961. On February 8, 1995, Sarah lost the love of her life. 

Her faith in God was very important to her. Sarah said her prayers daily, not just at night but during the day too.  She was a faithful member of St. Joseph Catholic Church; and a lifetime member of Ladies Altar Society and Sacred Heart.

Sarah baked Italian cookies almost daily so she could have them fresh with a fresh pot of coffee ready for her visitors. When you left her home she always had a bag of fresh homemade cookies to send with you. When the grandchildren came for a visit, she always had some labeled with their names for each one.  It almost seemed like Christmas every time you went to see her. Her family thought she had the best spaghetti and meatballs in town.

Sarah loved her Wednesday get-together at her home around the kitchen table with family and friends who came over for fresh coffee, fun and laughter. Everyone looked forward to her open arms and love.

She enjoyed playing cards, especially Skip-Bo, at her home every Tuesday. Sarah also enjoyed going to the Casino on the bus with the Senior Citizens in previous years; and while at Summer Place she enjoyed playing bingo with her friends that she had made there. She was also a big fan of the Astros.

Sarah celebrated her 100th Birthday on September 7, 2011. A wonderful party was held Saturday, September 10th at the home of her son and daughter-in-law, Nickey and Carol.  Over one hundred family members and friends attended the party and she was so excited and happy to see everyone.  It was such a special day for her and all attending.

She was a loving and caring Wife, Mother, Grandmother and Great-Grandmother. Sarah was a gentle, kind, and precious lady who never met a stranger. Sarah will be dearly missed by all who knew her and loved her.

Survivors include her daughter, Carmelene Sandidge and her husband, Louis of Navasota; sons, Nickey Accardo and his wife, Carol of Beaumont, and Carl Accardo and his wife, Betty of Houston; nine grandchildren, Shirlene Mahoney, Elizabeth Sandidge, Clint Sandidge, Chris Accardo, Shannon Accardo, Lindsey Accardo, Alison McCown, Ashley Accardo, and Amy Accardo; eight great-grandchildren, Maegan Elizabeth Mahoney, Jacob Everett Garza, Madeline Grace McCown, Nathan Louis Sandidge, Sadie Belle Jacobs, Kelsey McCown, Kenny McCown and Christian McCown.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 2:00 p.m., Saturday, October 8, 2011, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1115 Orange Street, Beaumont, with interment to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, under the direction of Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. A Christian Vigil will be 6:00 p.m., Friday, October 7, 2011, at Broussard’s.

Memorial contributions may be made to Make-A-Wish Foundation, 1604 Bissonnet, Houston, Texas 77005 or to St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1115 Orange Street, Beaumont, Texas 77701.