Sarah Elizabeth McDonald

Sarah was a smart, strong-willed, and brave young woman. She was known for always smiling with a giggle and laugh that put a smile on anyone around her. Sarah was very driven and had many goals. She couldn’t wait to be a teenager, to turn 16 and drive which gave her the freedom to adventure when and where she wanted to, and to turn 18 and go away to college. Sarah excelled in STEM classes and she was active in high school all four years in JROTC, including leadership positions for three years and being second in command her senior year, and graduating summa cum laude. Since Sarah was seven, she wanted to be a pilot. She was excited and proud to receive a scholarship to Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University. Her goal was to fly, make a career in the Navy flying planes off aircraft carriers, then go into civilian life as a pilot. Although her college career was cut short by illness, in the short time she was there she made the dean’s list.

Sarah enjoyed many activities and hobbies. She was a huge fan of the Harry Potter series, especially Slytherin House, having read the books and watched the movies many times over. She loved building Legos and displayed many large kits in her room. She loved 1000+ piece puzzles that she glued together after they were built. She also loved painting pictures on canvas. She lived for all things Disney and in October was able to take a week-long trip to Disney World and Universal Studios with her family. This was her trip, she planned the parks we visited from rides to meals. It was everything she wanted to experience.

Sarah and her family have lived in five different states in her lifetime from the mountains to the beach. She loved to travel and experience new things. She was always ready for an adventure at a moment’s notice, smiling the entire time.

Sarah had two favorite quotes.

“A mile of highway will take you just a mile…But a mile of runway will take you anywhere!”

“I’m not arguing, I’m explaining why I’m right.”

Sarah is preceded in death by her grandparents, Richard Kettman and Judith McDonald, and cousin Erik Okon.

She is survived by her parents, Jeff and Sandi; sister, Emma; dog, Jilly: grandparents, Jim and Diane McDonald and Darlene Kettman; aunts and uncles, Jodi and Mark Burian, Sharyn Kettman, Mike and Sarah Okon and Pat Okon; cousins, Doug, Sam and Kaylee Burian, Nolan and Tristan Okon, Evany Okon, and Abby Okon.

Sarah will be deeply missed by her family.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to Barbara’s Friends – Golisano Children’s Hospital Cancer Fund at leehealthfoundation.org/helping-kids-with-cancer/#donate

Condolences may be made online at www.AlexanderNewburghChapel.com.