Veronica J. (Garces) Sayers

Veronica Joan Sayers, 100, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Friday, February 20, 2026 at home in Ramsey, NJ.

Veronica was the beloved wife of the late Erik C. Sayers for 49 years. She will be incredibly missed by her daughters, Liana Piretra and Michael, Gabriella Kennedy and Geoff, Michelle Pastarnack and Mark. Veronica cherished being a grandmother to Maeghan Ludwig and Kevin, Daniel Pastarnack, Eric Pastarnack, Sandra Kennedy, Veronica Kennedy, and a proud to be a great-grandmother to Morgan and Shelby Ludwig.

Veronica was born on October 19, 1925 to Matilda and Juan Garces in Camagüey, Cuba. As one of 9 children, she left home at age 11 to live with her teacher and pursue her education, completing high school and two years of college with honors in Havana.

She was the first in her family to leave Cuba in 1946 at 21 yrs old. She met the love of her life in NYC, our dad, Erik, and married in 1950. They bought their first home in Fort Lee, NJ, where she became a parishioner and a volunteer at Holy Trinity Church for over 60 years. Veronica learned to speak, read and write English fluently and proudly became a US citizen in 1957 Plus she helped her family move from Cuba to the U.S.

She raised her three daughters—Liana, Gabriella, and Michelle—with strong Christian values and they all attended Holy Trinity Elementary School. She had a strong connection to the school and church and a beautiful friendship with Sister RoseMarie O’Brian.

Veronica worked at Sea Shops Inc a boutique and supplier to the Island and Sea Venture cruise ships, and later at Stillman and Hoag, Buick dealership in Englewood, NJ where she worked until retirement. In retirement, she became a teacher‘s aide at Madonna Catholic school in Ft. Lee and helped raise each of her five grandchildren.

Our mother and father shared a love for the beach, Robert Moses Park and Montauk were always a special place for our family. Veronica loved traveling with her family to Spain, Italy, zip lining in Costa Rica and many trips to the Caribbean. She greatly enjoyed playing bingo and trips to AC with her sister Lilia. . At 93, she moved in with her daughter, Gabriella, she joined Saint Paul’s Church, enjoying Sunday masses and holiday services with her granddaughters.

She felt truly blessed to become a great-grandmother-and loved to visit her two beautiful great granddaughters Morgan and Shelby in Boston.

Veronica lived 100 yrs and celebrated this milestone surrounded by family and dear friends. What a wonderful life!

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