Sage Ingalls

Family, friends and the Portland community are mourning the loss of 15-year-old Sage L. Ingalls, a talented musician, artist and Deering High School Sophomore who passed away unexpectedly in their sleep Sept. 29.

Born on Jan. 20, 2011 to Portland residents Nancy L. Cartonio and Jason Ingalls, Sage brought a deep joy and happiness to their parents; their two older sisters, Nevyn and Norah; "twin" step-sister Isobel, and many other family members and friends.

As the child of professional local musicians, Sage enjoyed music and composing from a young age, starting with apps that allowed composition opportunities, and progressing as they grew older to other electronic music software. Sage briefly studied piano, and, in their clever way of joking with family, did not tell their family that they would be playing the piano at the Ocean Avenue Elementary School 5th grade graduation ceremony, instead letting them discover Sage performing smoothly in the background.

In more recent years, Sage decided to focus on one of their father's instruments, drums and percussion, learning quickly and avidly from their dad on the electric set in their bedroom. While they enjoyed a wide range of musical interests, their favorite band was Twenty One Pilots, finding particular inspiration in the playing and quotes of the band's drummer, Josh Dunn.

Sage was also a talented artist and creative writer. They enjoyed writing stories and drawing accompanying illustrations. As a younger child Sage would enlist family and friends to help them act out their scripts, especially Isobel.

Sage also was an avid gamer. As with all things, Sage would try games suggested by their siblings and friends, and would often become more skilled at the game than the person who recommended it. Whether it was Undertale, Pokemon, Five Nights at Freddy's, Mario Kart, or Minecraft, Sage enjoyed finding all the lore, fighting all the battles, and often went beyond what the game initially had to offer, creating their own challenges to keep the games interesting.

Sage got to combine their love of music and gaming this Spring during a trip to Boston with their dad for a symphony performance of the Undertale soundtrack.

Sage enjoyed practicing Spanish with their mom and playing a daily round of Wordle with her.

And during weekly "sibling nights" with Nevyn, Norah, and Isobel, the entire group would find ways to turn normally placid activities such as boardgames, mini-golf or even chess matches, into raucous affairs full of competition and inside jokes which they would laugh about for years to come.

In these and all of their interests, Sage found their own unique ways, both small and large, to connect with family and friends they loved. All are left to wonder what heights they would have reached in these and other passions.

And to this, Sage would most likely have replied "um, sure?"

Sage is survived by their mother Nancy L. Cartonio, sisters Norah L. Williamson and Nevyn L. Williamson, step-sister Isobel Mann, their father Jason Ingalls, step-mother Sarah Thurlow and her daughter Beatrix Coffey.

A memorial service followed by visiting hours will be held at the Jones, Rich and Barnes Funeral Home on Saturday, Oct. 10. The service starts at 11 a.m., followed by visitation hours from 12:30-3:00.