Sarah Berthe Chilabato, 100, of Portsmouth, RI, passed away peacefully on September 5, 2026, at the Brookdale Nursing Home in Tiverton, RI. She was a longtime resident of both Newport and Portsmouth, as well as Deerfield Beach, FL.
Born on September 26, 1925, in Oran, Algeria, Sarah was the daughter of the late Nessim and Julie (Benaheim) Cohen. She attended École Jules Renard in Oran during her childhood. Her education was interrupted during WW2, and at just 19 years old, she worked for the American Red Cross and then served as a telephone operator and translator for the American Army Signal Corps, serving in both North Africa and France. In 1946, she met her future husband, Patrick Chilabato, who was serving in the US Navy at Port Lyautey, Morocco. They returned to the United States and Newport, RI, where he was stationed at the naval base, eventually settling there.
While raising a family in Newport, she also owned and managed Pat’s Diner, a family-owned business, for 17 years before joining the People’s Credit Union, where she eventually was promoted to manager of the branch located in the Newport Hospital. She retired in 1992, where she split her time between homes in Florida and Rhode Island.
In addition to her parents, Sarah is predeceased by her beloved husband of 60 years, Patrick, and son-in-law Tom Smith (W. Palm Beach). She is also predeceased by her brothers Roger Cohen (Nice, France) and George Cohen (E. Providence, RI), and her sisters Yvette Darmon (Marseille, France) and Jeaneane Sawyer (Deerfield Beach, FL).
She is survived by her brother Gerard (Joann) Cohen of Bluffton, SC, and her children: Yvette Smith of W. Palm Beach, FL; Donna (Richard) Sisson; Patrick Oscar (Ellen) Chilabato; and Peter (Angela) Chilabato, all of Portsmouth, RI. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
She will be remembered for her unwavering devotion to her family and friends, as well as the wisdom and sense of humor she so willingly offered to all who knew and loved her. She would also like to have been remembered as a proud citizen of this country, and, because of her past experiences, one who never took for granted the freedoms she and others enjoy here.
Funeral service will be held on Wednesday, September 9, at 11:00 AM, Temple Shalom, 223 Valley Rd, Middletown. Graveside service will follow at Beth Olam Cemetery, 181 Wyatt Rd, Middletown.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the American Red Cross of Rhode Island.
Arrangements by the Chevra Kadisha Association of Newport County.
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