The Mazzellas, all former New Jersey residents, were slain in what law enforcement has said is the result of a feud with a neighbor, Jonathan Frederick Sander.
WAKE FOREST, N.C. - In the end, they were just doing what all families do.
"They were being together and living life together," said Pastor Mike Fry, delivering the eulogy for Elaine, Sandy and Stephenie Mazzella, who were all shot to death March 25 in Wake Forest, N.C.
The Mazzellas, all former New Jersey residents, were slain in what law enforcement has said is the result of a feud with a neighbor, Jonathan Frederick Sander.
Sander, 52, is jailed on three counts of first-degree murder.
More than 150 mourners gathered Friday for a service in the Richland Creek Community Church, where Elaine Mazzella, 76, has worshipped with her husband, Salvatore, 78, for the past seven years.
Three caskets were at the head of the church under framed photos of each victim. The women's caskets were white. Sandy's was brown.
Photos of the family members at various stages in their lives played on a loop with gentle music before the service began.
"The love they had for family was incredible," Fry said, adding that Elaine wanted to spend all her time with family.
"Sal knows he's a blessed man," Fry said. "Elaine loved people and clearly loved life. Sal said that she would not even allow him to kill a fly. And even if it was picking figs from the tree in the yard, she wanted to spend all her time with Sal."
Stephenie, who was originally from Chicago but grew up in Jefferson Township, liked to play the flute and was involved in the marching band, the pastor said.
"She was bold and loved adventure and trying new things," he said.
Stephenie graduated from Felician College in Bergen County and Bloomfield College. She worked for a time as a nurse in Clara Maas before moving to the Poconos and then to North Carolina. At the time of her death, she was a nurse in the intensive care unit of WakeMed hospital.
Salvatore Mazzella gave an emotional speech, telling the mourners how much he loved his wife and son. And he told them he thought of Stephenie as his daughter.
"She called me 'Pop,'" he said.
During his remarks, Sal Mazzella referred to the alleged killer as "the evil one," and as the caskets were removed from the church, repeated outside: "The evil one did this, took my wife and family from me."
Winn Crenshaw, ministry director, said during the service that Sandy Mazzella was a successful businessman.
"Sandy was rare because he was an entrepreneur," said Winn Crenshaw, ministry director. "It takes real courage to start something from scratch, to build something from nothing."
Sandy and Stephenie Mazzella leave behind two children, ages 14 and 10.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that money be donated to the Mazzella GoFundMe account or to the Richland Creek Messianic Fellowship, 3229 Burlington Mills Road, Wake Forest, N.C. 27587.
Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.