Salli Squitieri was born on May 25th, 1954, in the town of Princeton, NJ. Salli passed away peacefully after a long battle with her health on April 14th, 2022, in New York City. She fought with everything she had until the very end. In the days leading up to her passing, she was surrounded by Family and Friends and Much Love.
She will be remembered as a warrior, a dancer, hummingbird, champion, mentor, teacher, healer, herbalist, nature lover, traveler, aunt, momma bear, beloved friend. She was passionate, ever hopeful & positive, uncompromising, loyal and fierce. Wholly unique as a person, Salli did it her way always and had the biggest most generous heart.
A Jack of all trades, she worked in a variety of fields and vocations – including folk crafts, jewelry, herbalism, construction, estate manager, dancer, artist manager/booker/producer, venue manager, and owned several small businesses through the years. She was a lover of nature, the woods, the tropics, gardening, animals, art, music and dance. She travelled extensively in her youth and then in her later years with her daughter. Salli lived in Canada, Mexico, St. Vincent, Jamaica, and in multiple states across the U.S.
She held a deep connection to the people and culture of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and especially working closely with musicians and artisans to help foster and support their art. Over the past year she also worked tirelessly to help with Volcano relief there.
Salli was predeceased by her parents Salvatore & Mary Squitieri, her brother Robert Squitieri and her soulmate Jim Richards. She is survived by daughter Akia Squitieri, son-in-law, Francis Molina, her furbaby Nutmeg, her Brother Joseph & Ellen Squitieri and a large extended family which includes in-laws- Bernadette Richards, Cathy & Karl Gruetzmann, Mike Richards, John & Gina Richards, Margaret Richards, Louise Labonte and Nieces and Nephews: Jason, Jocelyn, Amanda, Monica, Anthony, Ellen, Michael, Kathleen, Kimberly & Dana. Her “Chosen Family” is a wide and vast group of friends from around the globe and includes some that were with her in her final days- Tiffini Minatel-Schreiber, Richard Benson, Meg Dowling, Garry “Tunka” Edwards, Diana Davis, Michelle Schellekens, Elizabeth Burke and Curtis C.
Salli will be laid to rest in the Steelmantown Cemetery in Woodbine, NJ in an intimate green burial for immediate family & close friends this week.
A Celebration of Life will occur in May or June 2022, in New York City and all are welcome to attend, with details to be announced later.
The family welcomes flowers at the time of burial service or at their home. Friends will be sharing a Memorial Fund to assist with end-of-life expenses.
For further information on details & arrangements from above you may contact akiasquitieri@gmail.com
Fertig Funeral Home
