Sarah "Sally" Sinnott Guernsey

Sarah Sinnott Guernsey

CLINTON CORNERS - Sarah "Sally" Sinnott Guernsey, 95, died on June 30, 2014, having lived a remarkably vibrant and full life. Despite the fact that she was 95, the news of her death has been met by shock and disbelief —- nearly universal among her family, friends and doctors. All three children — Sarah, Trip and Cliff — were with her during what turned out to be the final week of her life.

The disbelief at her passing stems from the fact that Sally's zest for life had her affectionately known as the Energizer Bunny. And, as several friends said, "I just figured Sally would live forever."

In addition to her children — Sarah Sinnott of Burlington, VT, Joseph "Trip" Sinnott of Clinton Corners, NY and Cliff Sinnott of Exeter, NH — Sally is survived by her grandchildren Kathleen "Casey" Sinnott of New York City, Will Sinnott of Exeter, NH, Ella and Solie Peck of Burlington, VT; and five nieces and nephews. She also leaves a host of "Sally fans" and friends of all generations, though few of her closest contemporaries remain.

Born in Glens Falls, NY on April 6, 1919, Sally was the daughter of Clifford and Sarah Bowne Marsh. At the age of nine, her family moved to Poughkeepsie. Sally grew up as an only child, but she was actually one of three children, with siblings Cliff, Jr. and Jane both dying in infancy.

Reflecting on her life several years ago, Sally wrote, "I had a very happy, carefree childhood, with plenty of fun." After attending Krieger Elementary School in Poughkeepsie, she graduated from Dana Hall School in Wellesley, MA and then attended Bennett College in Millbrook, NY before graduating from Vassar College in 1941.

For the first few decades of her life, Sally could be described as a "city girl," living in Glens Falls and Poughkeepsie. But her marriage to Joseph "Joe" Sinnott on May 24, 1952 brought Sally to Clinton Corners, beginning a cherished 62-year stint as a "country girl" in an old farmhouse where they raised their three children. This remained her family home for the rest of her life.

When her husband Joe Sinnott died in 1987, Sally was widowed for six years. Then, on August 28, 1993, 74-year-old Sally married lifelong friend H. W. "Buzz" Guernsey, who had been widowed a year earlier. Buzz and his first wife Mary Jane had enjoyed a friendship with Joe and Sally for as long as the two couples knew each other. The Guernsey children — Zipp, John, Dave and Meg —and all the Guernsey family have been lifelong friends of the Sinnott family. When Buzz died in 1999, Sally would occasionally say of the oldest generation, "I'm the only one of our foursome left!" That would remain true for 15 years, though it didn't stop Sally from living a vibrant, active life. Now, all four will be buried side-by-side in Clinton Corners.

A constant thread in Sally's life was her love of Tea Island in Lake George, where she enjoyed 77 years of summer vacations. In 2006, she wrote of her summer days in the small cabin on the island, "This tiny Adirondack island became a lifelong haven — and source of annual refreshment, recreation and fond memories for four generations of my family." Five years later, Sally was featured in the cover story of the Glens Falls Chronicle calling her "the Queen of Tea Island."

Sally also enjoyed occasional visits to the islands of the Caribbean, thanks to Gladys Cabrer, a cherished college friend from Puerto Rico. These semi-regular Caribbean island adventures began in 1938 and ended only two months ago, when she spent a week with six members of her family on St. John, USVI — in celebration of her 95th birthday, and to be with grandson Will during his island job at Caneel Bay.

In addition to the longtime role she embraced as a homemaker for many years, Sally had served previously as a nurse's aide during World War II and she also worked at her father's department stores in Glens Falls and Hudson. During her child-rearing years, other activities outside the home included being involved with the Nearly New Shop in Poughkeepsie, the Friendship Garden Club in Clinton Corners, the Poughkeepsie Garden Club, the Poughkeepsie Tennis Club, and the Clinton Historical Society. For the last two decades of her life, she was a cherished adviser of The Attic Studio Publishing House.

A member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Sally had a special fondness for "Little St. Joseph's" in Clinton Corners, where she was married in 1952.

Sally lived a good life in every sense. There is no way to talk about her that doesn't include spirit. She had a "sharp as a tack" vibrancy and perception. She was warm-hearted and generous and full of humor. As one friend said, "Maybe she's gone now because she wouldn't want to dwindle." Part of her success in being fully engaged in her 80s and 90s was due to the tremendous support and care offered by many in her world, for which she and her children are eternally grateful.

She was an enthusiastic appreciator of the natural world, its beauty, scents and sounds. And for specific places — Clinton Corners, Lake George, St. John, and any seashore - her appreciation knew no bounds. Her love for her children, family and friends was that way too; once she loved you, she loved you. That translated into lifelong friendships and a remarkable ability to stay in touch with many people of many ages over many years.

Sally was an outward-facing person, interested in everything and everyone, always thinking about others, especially family and friends. She was intensely and genuinely interested in their lives and their stories. Her interest and attention were real, and that was her simple secret to an unfailing memory that amazed us all: she paid attention and she cared. Sally was the "glue" of her family and network of friends. She made sure both in obvious and in subtle ways that we stayed connected, communicating, and together.

Even as her generation slowly faded, her timeless and generous spirit remained present, in tune and relevant. She showed us the way to "be" in the world.



The conversation among her family and friends will continue in a number of venues in the coming days. Friends are invited to call at the Allen Funeral Home, 3270 Franklin Avenue in Millbrook, NY on Sunday July 6 from 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, July 7 at 11:00 a.m. at "Little St. Joseph's Church, 400 Clinton Corners Road in Clinton Corners, NY. Interment will follow at Friends Upton Lake Cemetery.

Donations in her memory may be made to St. Joseph's Church, PO Box 439, Millbrook, NY 12545, or Friends Upton Lake Cemetery, PO Box 5, Clinton Corners NY 12514, or the Lake George Association, PO Box 408, Lake George, NY 12845.

For condolences and directions, please visit www.HudsonValleyFuneralHomes.com