Dr Ermelinda Sgro
Late of Glassboro NJ, was born Ermelinda Conte in Naples Italy, in 1930. One of six children (five sisters, one brother) she grew up in Naples during the Second World War, and broke boundaries when she graduated with a degree in pharmacology from the University of Naples in 1954. While living and working in Naples she became an avid sailor and loved to spend her time both on and in the sea. It was at medical university that she met her future husband, Dr. Antonio Sgro, with whom she emigrated to the United States in 1962. Antonio established himself in private practice and Linda completed a successful career as a medical researcher in the Nephrology Department at the Hahnemann Medical Center in Philadelphia. They lived in Turnersville NJ and were married for 39 Years, until Antonio’s death in 2001. Shortly thereafter Linda moved to the Reserve at Lake Oberst, in Glassboro, where she made lifelong friends and infected the entire community with her joy for life. She was a devout parishioner and Eucharistic Minister at St. Charles Borromeo, member of the Diocesan Choir and volunteered for many years helping children at St. John of God. Of all her personal and community accomplishments, one of her proudest was her Master Gardener certification. She shared her fresh tomatoes, basil and figs with friends and family, and the cuttings from her fig tree have generated other fig trees around the world. In just the last year Linda moved into the independent living community at Cardinal Village, Sewell NJ, where she had started a garden which included a cutting from her original fig tree. She was one of the most altruistic people we have ever known, always donating generously to Children’s Hospital, St. Charles Borromeo and St. John of God, as well as putting nephews and grand-nephews through college. She is predeceased by her brother Teodorico and her sisters Rita and Annamaria. Her older sister, Giulia, still lives in Naples Italy. She leaves over ten nephew and nieces and over a dozen grand-nephews and nieces in Italy, France, Germany and the United States. Only a couple of days before she left us she was visited by nephews, nieces, and by many friends. She also spoke on the phone with her sister Giulia and other family members and friends. She was very happy and in excellent spirits and was already planning her next vacation to Italy. Just one day later she passed away peacefully in her sleep. Linda’s strength and positive attitude throughout her life, whether in good health or bad, through happy times or challenges, provided a shining example of humility to all of those lucky enough to know her. We can best honor Linda’s memory by being as generous with each other as she was with all she knew.
Family and friends are invited to attend her viewing starting around 09.30 on Friday, December 9, 2022 at St. Charles Borromeo RC Church, 176 Stagecoach Road, Washington Township. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00am. Entombment at New St. Mary’s Mausoleum, Bellmawr.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Linda’s memory to St. John of God, 1145 Delsea Drive, Westville Grove, NJ 80891.