Seton Hall senior Sara Signoretta passed away at home on Jan. 27, according to a Seton Hall broadcast e-mail.
Signoretta was a psychology major scheduled to graduate this May.
According to an obituary provided by Knott Colonial Funeral home, Signoretta was 22 years old and was from Hamilton Square, N.J.
"Sara was a very genuine person," psychology professor Kelly Goedert said. "She was quiet in the classroom but she worked very hard."
Goedert said she felt Signoretta, who was a student in her statistics class in the fall, was very dedicated to organizations outside of the classroom as well.
When not attending classes, Signoretta worked as a daycare provider at Bright Beginnings in Mercerville.
Signoretta's mother, Mary Signoretta, said the daycare looked after children from six weeks to five years.
"Sara always worked in the baby room, though, because she had the patience for them," she said.
Senior Desiree' Grady was Signoretta's lab partner last semester for their psychology course on learning.
"We both shared an interest in kids and shared stories about working at a daycare," Grady said.
Grady said Signoretta shared her excitement in graduating this May.
"We were both so eager to finish our senior year and graduate," Grady added. "She was such a big help last semester when I was struggling in the class and I will most definitely be thanking her when I get my diploma."
Mary Signoretta said her daughter wanted to be a counselor for adolescents and young adults with depression because she had struggled with the disorder as well.
"She particularly wanted to help teens with anxiety and depression since she knew what it was like to feel these emotions," her eulogy read. "We think she would have made an awesome counselor."
According to her mother, Sara was also involved in the non-profit "Walk the Night," which brings awareness to suicide.
Signoretta interned with New Horizon, a drug and alcohol abuse treatment facility in Trenton, according to her mother and Jennifer Horner, her internship mentor.
"The psychology club offers our condolences and prayers to Sara's family and friends. During this time of tragedy we will remember our fellow psychology major and Pirate for she will be missed," senior Nicole Battaglia said on behalf of the psychology club.
Signoretta graduated from Steinert High School in 2006.
The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Gregory the Great Church in Hamilton Square on Feb. 3.
The obituary requested that memorial donations be sent to the City of Angels of Trenton, which works to support addiction recovery.
Caitlin Carroll can be reached at caitlin.carroll@student.shu.edu.
