Sarah Jane Frankland

1929 - 2023

Sarah Jane Frankland (formerly Hannaway), "Sally", 94, of Dalton, passed away at home early on December 24, 2023. Her daughter, Stephanie, and son-in-law Jon were with her. Sarah was born on October 26, 1929, in Buffalo, New York. Sarah was the only child of Gladys Irene (Althouse) Frankland and Charles Shadrach Frankland. She lived in Buffalo, New York, and Blacks Harbour, New Brunswick, Canada during her youth. She graduated from Blacks Harbour High School in 1947.

Sarah completed nurse training at St. John General Hospital in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1951 and worked in Maine initially. She moved to Boston and worked at the Boston Hospital for Women from 1954 to 1962, progressing through several positions - Staff Nurse, Head Nurse, Instructor, Educational Coordinator, and Education Director. She completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing at Boston University in 1957 and her Master of Science in Nursing with a clinical specialty in maternal-child care in 1964 at Boston College. Sarah was Director/Lecturer at the Faulkner Hospital School of Nursing from 1963 to 1966. She was a clinical instructor and lecturer at Lasell Junior College from 1967 to 1971. During this time she was also a consultant and lecturer in the Boston area, including developing a practical nurse education program implemented by the Boston Public School Commission in 1970. In 1971, Sarah went on to work at Middlesex Community College where she designed associate degree programs for Nursing and Medical Office Assistants which received grant funding to provide opportunities for disadvantaged Health Sciences students. After spending two years as an Assistant Professor at the University of British Columbia, in 1978 Sarah returned to the northeast as Professor, then Director/Chairperson of the Department of Nursing at Broome Community College (BCC) in Binghamton, NY. A model of tenacity and lifelong learning, Sarah completed her Doctor of Education degree from Nova University in 1988. She progressed to the role of Director of Planning at BCC in 1985 until her retirement in 1990. Notably, Sarah excelled in her career while being a single mother to her daughter, Stephanie.

In 1994, Sarah relocated to the Berkshires in Massachusetts to be closer to Stephanie and Jon and to take on the role that brought her the most joy as "Meena" to grandchildren Michael, Sarah, and Hannah. Her family was her greatest source of pleasure and Sarah took great pride in celebrating (and bragging about!) the accomplishments of her beloved grandchildren. Meena provided unwavering support to her grandchildren and endlessly encouraged their continued pursuit of educational, professional, and personal achievement. She leaves her grandchildren with many things, one of their favorites being the wisdom that there are too many wonderful things in life to ever be bored. Even into her 94th year, we were often blessed to receive a telephone call that a big pot of her signature potato or chicken pot pie soup was ready for our dinner or that a big box of brownies was on the way! And her pie crust is legendary! Sarah was our true North Star - our guidance and orienting point. She was a fixed point in this spinning world that helped us stay on track.

During her 94 years, Sarah touched the lives of many - family, friends, patients, students, colleagues, and community members she met along the way. Sarah felt passionately about living with purpose and making a positive impact on the community and world. Throughout her retirement years in the Berkshires, Sarah volunteered locally with Elder Services and Literacy Volunteers of Berkshire County. A lifelong knitter since the age of 10, Sarah also became a creator of cut and pierced lampshades, a decorative painter, and a quilter in her retirement. After moving to Dalton, Sarah worked as the recording secretary for the Dalton Select Board and in the Town Manager's office for 14 years. She retired again, in 2018, at the age of 89. During her post-retirement years, Sarah continued knitting, quilting, indoor gardening, puzzling, reading, bridge playing, and learning. She was an ardent watcher of golf and competitive ice skating, closely following the careers of her favorite athletes for many years.

Sarah was predeceased by her parents Charles Shadrach Frankland and Gladys Irene (Althouse). She is survived by her daughter, Stephanie Friedman (Jon) of Dalton, and her grandchildren Michael Friedman of Madison, WI, Sarah Friedman (Josh), and Hannah Friedman both of Dalton. She is also survived by many close friends and her devoted cats, Aryn and Whitney.

At Sarah's request, there will be no services. In place of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to be made to Berkshire Parents Collective in the care of Dery-Foley Funeral Home, 890 E. Main St., Dalton, MA 01226.