Obituary of Sarah "Sallie" Garren

Sarah "Sallie" Garren, 88, of Penn Yan, NY passed away on Thursday, June 6, 2024 at Soldiers& Sailors Hospital. She was born on May 24, 1936 and graduated from Penn Yan Academy in 1955.

Right from graduating, she went to work at Keuka College as a switchboard operator, then to Yates County Fire Control and Yates County Sheriff's Department. At the Sheriff's Department, she worked under three Sheriffs, George Spike, Jan Scofield and Ron Spike. She retired in 1994.

She was a charter member of the Penn Yan Volunteer Ambulance Corp. She was an EMT, was co-operation director and served on the Board of Directors.

After retirement, she volunteered at the Adult Day Care Center at The Homestead where she was fondly known as the Basket Lady.

She enjoyed playing cards, Bingo and going to the casino. She loved all animals, especially cats, and her love of hummingbirds that came every spring.

Sallie married Gerald James Garren on April 21, 1956 at St. Michael's Church in Penn Yan. They were married for 62 years.

Sallie was so fond of the music production Phantom of the Opera, especially the Music of the Night. She went to Rochester, and Toronto seven times to see the Phantom. She also went to see the Rockettes that were one of her favorites.

She was predeceased by her husband, Gerald "Jim"; her sister and brother-in-law, Marjorie and Karol Hartman; mother and step father, Ruth (Sisson) and Charles Lajoy; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Joyce and Walter Bluteau of Constable, NY; and brother-in-law, Wayne Garren of Penn Yan; and her furry children, Goobie, Molly and Buddy.

She is survived by her son , Barry Garren of Lockport, NY; daughter and son-in-law, Kelly (Michael) Leavy of Dundee, NY; her one and only grandchild, Shannon (Benjamin) Bennett of Prattsburgh, NY; and two great grandchildren, Wyatt and Piper Bennett; sister-in-law, Barbara Garren of Penn Yan, NY; and by several nieces and nephews.

She dearly loved her family and all the friends she made over the years, especially Ruth Hamm and Ted Cox. Her family would like to thank Sissy Hartman and Kim (Stella) Kulp for all of their care that they did for mom.

Relatives and friends are invited to call on Wednesday, June 12, 2024 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at Townsend-Wood & Zinger Funeral Home, 201 E. Elm St., Penn Yan, NY. Her memorial service will begin at 1:00 pm followed by burial in Lakeview Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Penn Yan Area Volunteer Ambulance Corps, P.O. Box 272, Penn Yan, NY 14527 or the Humane Society Shelter of Hope, 1216 State Route 14A, Penn Yan, NY 14527.