Sarah Calvey Cummings

Sarah Calvey Cummings, 46, died on May 18th, 2025. While no amount of time with Sarah would have ever been enough, perhaps the lasting shock is not that we’ve lost her, but that we were lucky enough to share this life with her at all.

A 1997 graduate of Scranton Prep, Sarah’s inherent desire to help others led her to work at both the Scranton Counseling Center and as a local firefighter. On a divinely bizarre first date, Sarah met her great love and best friend Mark Cummings in 1998. Love bloomed and Sarah gave birth to her favorite child Dylan in 2001, followed shortly after by the birth of her other favorite child Jordan in 2004. During the course of her boys’ upbringing, there wasn’t a concert or a game that she missed when it came to supporting their numerous talents. She was fiercely proud of her family, and a loving caregiver through and through. For many years, Sarah happily worked side-by-side with her father at her family’s business, American Janitor and Paper Supply.

On a personal level, Sarah was riotously funny, with a laugh so wild it would crash through rooms. Her presence brought such joy and laughter that no one ever wanted to leave. She was an accomplished photographer, capturing fleeting moments that told rich stories of her life, family, and surroundings. Sarah dished out kindness and sass by the boatload, all while radiating a personal warmth that left a lasting impression on everyone who knew her. Some of her favorite moments in life were spent with the top down on her Jeep, taking the long way and letting whatever would happen, happen.

Despite years of often brutal and exhausting chemotherapy treatments, she remained overwhelmingly upbeat, accepting the hand she had been dealt with a tremendous amount of grace and resilience. Sarah’s strength came from never allowing cancer to rob her from being present — it may have consumed her body but never her spirit. To know Sarah was to witness what an extraordinarily determined person she was. Only a month prior to her passing, she was doggedly hell-bent on getting to Ireland for a last adventure with her husband Mark, which she did and created cherished memories for him to hold forever. In the last few weeks of Sarah’s life, she was surrounded by her loved ones at all times. This is a woman who has left this world knowing how much she meant to all of us.

Sarah is survived by her husband of almost 24 years, Mark Cummings, who’s selfless heart and profound love and care of Sarah is one we can only aspire to; her two amazing sons, Dylan and Jordan; her beloved dog Layla, who provided so much comfort in the last few years; her parents, Karen Reid and husband James Reid and Brian Calvey and his wife Michele Calvey; her siblings Todd Calvey, Lauren Reid, Aaron Calvey, Benjamin Calvey, their partners and Tyler Calvey and his wife, Jordan. Her grandparents Lois Lewis and Patrick Calvey; and many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her grandfather Robert Lewis and grandmother, Rita Calvey. We can’t forget the longstanding and compassionate care she received from Penn Medicine, particularly from Dr. Kristine Ward, who gave us the immeasurable gift of time with Sarah.

In lieu of flowers, consider donating to a charity that moves you. Take a moment to remind your loved ones near and far how much they mean to you. Get into good trouble and remember that life is short and kindness goes a long way. When you see a Gerber daisy, think of Sarah. When you see the Chicago Bears lose yet another opportunity at the Super Bowl, appreciate that there is a TV in Pennsylvania that has been spared a flying remote.

The funeral will be on Saturday, May 31, at 11am with a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at St. Ann's Basilica, 1233 St Ann St, Scranton, PA 18504. The family will receive relatives and friends on Friday, May 30, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at Jennings-Calvey Funeral and Cremation Services, 111 Colburn Avenue, Clarks Summit. A private cremation will take place at her family's funeral home.

For the devastating grief we have carried during her illness and will continue to do so, we have to remind ourselves that out of billions of people in this world, we got to share this wild, beautiful life with Sarah. No matter how tragically short it feels, that makes us the luckiest people on earth.

Jennings-Calvey is honored to serve Sarah and shares in this great loss.