Sarah Kathryn Hood

My life's adventure started in September of 1931 in Connellsville, PA. My parents' names were Stuart Barr and Sarah Margretta (nee Williams) Fenstermacher. We did not have Kindergarten when I started school. One of my first school memories was being the last child in my class to learn to spell my name. Sarah Fenstermacher was quite a mouthful. I attended Brockway Snyder High School in Brockway, PA, graduating in the class of 1949. When I was eight years old I was blessed with a beautiful, blue eyed baby brother who had curly red hair; James (Ellen) Fenstermacher. He brought fun, love and joy into my life. I love my baby brother dearly.

My husband, Charles Edward Hood, and I met in Brockway, PA in 1950 and married there in 1951. We were blessed with two children. Our son, Scott Edward Hood, came along nine months after our marriage. Our daughter, Sharon Lee (Bruce) Gavin arrived two years after Scott. Charles and I moved our family to North Tonawanda in 1955. After Sharon started the first grade, I started working in various businesses in the area as a "Girl Friday". I retired a Deputy County Clerk as supervisor of the Niagara Falls DMV.

When my husband and young son became involved in Little League Baseball, I became the president of the Little League Auxiliary. At my church I sang in the choir, was a choir soloist, taught Sunday School, directed the Senior Youth Group and sat on the Board of Trustees. I was a Classic Bowler, pitched slow pitch softball for the NT Police Club and Mid City Car Wash, figure skated, was an avid golfer, loved to cross country ski, ride my bike and gave blood to the Red Cross.

Politics came into my life in the summer of 1980. Becoming aware of the exorbitant cost of water clean up, I took on the challenge and worked on the State Hazardous Waste Advisory Committee where I earned the nickname Sarah Sewer, which I thought was hilarious. I was endorsed for the position of Fourth Ward Alderman in September of 1981 and elected in November of that year. I served my Ward faithfully and to the best of my ability for ten years.

I wholeheartedly worked for the restoration of Shae's Theater in Buffalo for fifteen years under the talented tutelage of Doris Collins who also became a good friend. To me, it was a labor-of-love bringing this beautiful building back to its former glory.

Later in life, I met my dear companion, Andy Kovel. We were together over thirty years and shared a deep love. Andy and I had many adventures in travel and happy times spent together. We especially enjoyed “Snow Birding” it between New York and Florida. Andy’s children and grandchildren enhanced my life with more love and joy.

My children, whom I love with all my heart, gifted my life with six gorgeous grandchildren. They, in turn, gifted me with nine glorious great grandchildren. As I have always said, “Each generation gets better looking.”

Not only have I been blessed with a loving family, including wonderful cousins, nieces and nephews, I have been blessed with many dear friends and neighbors in my life. They have all been there for me through thick and thin. I wouldn't have made it this far without them. I have loved and appreciated every one of them.

As this is my obituary, I would like to thank everyone in my life for making it so enjoyable, fun, bright and full of love. If you feel the need to give, please make a donation to Niagara Hospice, Roswell Park Cancer Institute or the First United Methodist Church of North Tonawanda.

I passed from this life on October 25th, 2015 in the wee hours of the stormy and windy morning, with my daughter Sharon at my side. My family invites you to a celebration of my life at the First United Methodist Church, 65 Main Street in North Tonawanda On November 7th at 1:00 P.M. My good friend, The Rev. Dr. Gregory Crispell will say some words for me, but I will already be in my Heavenly Home.