SARAH M. BENNATI

If Sarah was still here with us, she would be very upset with her family for publishing this obituary because she cherished her privacy. Sarah was a quiet, introspective person who deeply valued her family and friends, and showed endless loyalty to those in her inner circle. Her nieces and nephews adored her as the cool aunt who attended their school events and was always up to date on current pop culture.

Sarah was born with a gift for creating beautiful art with all mediums. Whether she was teaching herself to weave, piecing together mosaics, painting on barnwood, photoshopping images or creating a traditional piece of art, her works were always exquisitely crafted with the Ànest details.

Her humor and quick witted remarks were her trademark. She made up new words that always seemed to make sense even though they truly did not exist. Those closest to her knew she nicknamed everyone from Pugg to Pdubs to Tutu and Derpy dog Winniedoodle. Her creative mind was constantly Áowing whether she was decorating a room in her house or designing a cake. Her eye for interior design was remarkable and she was organized to the extreme. She also had this incredibly unique ability to always Ànd the perfect gifts to give cherished family and friends. Sarah colored our world with her gentle, thoughtful ways.

Sarah, known lovingly as Chotchie or Cha, was more than an Aunt to Bailey, Lauren, Brady, Emma, and Jonah - she was a truly loved third parent to each of them. She was born April 13, 1974 (a young 47) and raised in Sherrill, NY. She made her house into a beautiful home in her childhood hometown - living close to her family was a must. Long Beach Island was her happy place where she vacationed in the summer with her family. She enjoyed traveling, visiting Kim in Maryland, shopping, walking the dogs, Ànding new restaurants and reading great books.

Sarah taught art for grades 7-12 for over twenty years at Stockbridge Valley Central School and cared deeply about the special group of friends she developed over the years. She loved her students and advocated for those in need, often purchasing them art supplies or connecting them with art shows and contests to showcase their talents.

Sarah ran the Art club for many years and helped develop sets for the musicals, stained glass windows in the school, and t-shirt logos for the Stockbridge Valley Schools to name just a few. Sarah also served as an administrator for the BOCES night school program. Prior to starting her accomplished teaching career, Sarah worked at Trainor Associates Advertising. She graduated from VVS High School, received a Bachelor of Arts from Union College, her Masters in Education from Syracuse University, and an administration certiàcation from SUNY Cortland.

There was a unique and special bond Sarah shared with her mother Rosamond before her passing and we are comforted in the vision of them together again. Sarah leaves behind her father, Gene, who loved her so dearly, her sister Jackie, kindred spirits who were inseparable, her brother Brian who shared a similar deep, quiet soul, her sister-in-law, Kimberly Bennati, brother-in-law Tom Snizek and adored nieces and nephews Bailey, Lauren, Brady, Emma and Jonah. She was blessed with true friends in her Stockbridge crew and lifetime bestie Kim Unsworth Franklin. She left behind her new puppy, Winnie, and loved the family dogs Tula, Duke, and Lucy.

In lieu of Áowers, please consider donating to the Sarah Bennati Memorial Scholarship Fund that will be awarded to a Stockbridge Valley art student each year in honor of Sarah. To recognize Sarah’s dedication to helping students in need, please consider bringing new art supplies (paintbrushes, paints, art paper, sharpies, sketchbooks, etc.) to calling hours to be donated to students at Stockbridge Valley schools.

There will be a candlelight vigil for Ms. Bennati on Tuesday September 28, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. at the Stockbridge Valley Central School, 6011 Williams Street, Munnsville, NY for the students, their families and the staff. Friends are invited to call on Wednesday, September 29, 2021 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Malecki Funeral Home 23 Front Street, Vernon, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. at St. Helena’s Church, 210 Primo Ave, Sherrill, NY. Private burial will be in St. Helena’s Cemetery, Oneida, NY. Online condolences may be sent to maleckifuneralhome.com