Roma Sassara Sims, 92 years old, of Bayonne, NJ, passed away on Monday, January 31, 2022 at Bayonne Medical Center. Roma was born to Mario and Lucia Sassara on January 27, 1930 in Marta, Viterbo, province of Rome, Italy. The family immigrated to the United States with Roma, 7 months old, and her two elder sisters, Rose and Angelina. Roma graduated from Bayonne High School in 1947. She began her career as an Executive Secretary at General Cable, soon afterward becoming Executive Secretary to a Research Director at MW Kellogg. Here, she met chemist Victor A. Sims, of Cicero, Illinois. They married on August 2, 1952 and had two children, Geoffrey A. Sims of Branchburg, NJ and Pamela G. Sims-Zepka of Plainfield, NJ. Roma was a devoted stay-at-home mother until her children were grown, returning to work at St. Peter's University in the office of Campus Ministry from 1977-1982. She also worked as an Executive Assistant to the President and CEO of Verdi Luggage, along with various other jobs, where her vibrant personality and vivacious spirit touched the lives of everyone she met.

Roma loved spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She dedicated many years to taking care of her mother, who lived with her in their beloved two-family home. Every day of her life, she spoke about her devotion and love for her mom. Roma had a passion for traveling, cooking, foregin film, art museums and Italian studies. In her free time, Roma enjoyed completing word jumbles and connecting with friends, both in the U.S. and abroad. She was always curious about learning more, and spent hours researching various topics on her smartphone. Her gift of being open-minded and embracing everyone allowed her to make friendships with many people, whose lives she touched in beautiful ways. Whether she visited doctor's offices, restaurants, or hotels overseas, she would make meaningful connections with people, maintaining friendships through the internet, social media and old-fashioned letter writing and gift-giving. She made everyone feel as if they were family and had an amazing warmth that enabled people to share their own life-stories with her. Roma had a quirky sense of humor; she could make anybody laugh and never took life too seriously. She enjoyed playing cards, Scrabble and watching Jeopardy every night, along with her Italian programs on the RAI channel.

Just as "all roads lead to Rome," all of those blessed to have known Roma were left with a lasting impression. As we remember her, we are led back to beautiful memories of an incredibly strong and resilient woman. Roma is survived by her companion, Walter Goral, children, Geoffrey Sims and Pamela Sims-Zepka, daughter-in-law Susan O'Rourke-Sims, grandchildren, Ellyn Sims-Janos, Connor Sims, Alexa Rockland and Alana Zepka, and great-grandchildren Violet Roma Rockland and River Arthur Robert Janos. She is predeceased by her spouse, Victor A. Sims and sisters, Rose Sassara-Hennessy and Angelina Sassara-Ippolito. Roma will be forever missed. Just as she loved her name, and would always say, "'Roma' spelled backwards is "amor," the love she gave to everyone during her time on earth will continue to resonate in the hearts of her loved ones left behind.

A visitation for family & friends will be held on Thursday February 3 ^rd from 9:30am – 10:30 am at Migliaccio Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 851 Kennedy Blvd. (at 33 ^rd St.) in Bayonne.  A funeral mass will be celebrated immediately afterward at 10:45am at St. Henry's Church, 89 W. 29 ^th St. in Bayonne.  Mausoleum entombment will follow at Hollywood Memorial Park in Union NJ.  Condolences may also be passed along to the family on Roma's obituary page at www.MigliaccioFuneralHome.com .