Sarah P. Walsh

Sarah Patricia Walsh was the youngest of six children born to Patrick and Mary Lydon on July 27, 1933 in Ballinrobe, County Mayo, Ireland.  She wanted a different life for herself than the one she saw laid out for her in Ireland, and had the courage at the age of 19 to board a ship and come to the United States, alone, in pursuit of the American Dream.

She lived in the Bronx with her aunt as she got settled in America, and was often lonesome for home, so she visited the Church across the street every day and leaned on her faith to get through those early days.  She soon met the love of her life, William Walsh, at a wedding of two of their mutual friends.  Bill had just returned from serving as a member of the U.S. Army in the Korean War, and he was slated to dance with three women as a means of potential match-making.  The first wound up being a pregnant woman, who was obviously unavailable; the second was Sarah.  He never danced with the third.  

Bill and Sarah married and lived in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, before moving and settling in Valley Stream, New York.  They built a beautiful life for themselves and their family.  Sarah was a loving mother to her six sons, and was blessed with many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and recently a great-great-grandchild.  She was also beloved by her many nieces and nephews, both here in the United States and in Ireland, by whom she was affectionately known as Sadie.  Nanny, as her grandchildren and great-grandchildren called her, absolutely adored her family, protected them always, and prayed for each of them daily.  She made sure to attend all of their dance shows, sports games, birthday parties, graduations, weddings, special occasions and holidays, and despite the huge size of her family, she had a special and unique relationship with each one of them.  

Sarah served the Nassau County community as a crossing guard before her retirement.  She was a devout Catholic, her entire life, and an active member of the Holy Name of Mary Roman Catholic Church, serving in many groups within the Church dedicated to serving others.  Sarah had many friends, and made new friends everywhere she went - to know her was to love her.  

Sarah was a kind, loving, thoughtful and truly selfless person who did not have a mean bone in her body.  She cared only that her family was safe, and happy, and, ideally, that they went to Church.  She was always there to offer a shoulder to cry on, and had a heart of pure gold.  She loved animals of all kinds.  She was funny, both on purpose and sometimes accidentally, and she brought a spirit of joy with her everywhere she went.  Even though she was 91, she always remained fiercely independent, and had a fun and fiesty spirit that kept her very young at heart.

Sarah was predeceased by her parents and siblings, her husband, Bill, her son, Michael, and her great-granddaughter, Sophia, all of whom, we are sure, were eagerly awaiting her arrival in Heaven, a place which she has undoubtedly earned after her many years of devotion to the Lord and to her family.   She died fittingly, on All Saints Day, a day of great religious significance to her, and which resulted in a long series of prayers at her hospital bedside to, one final time, instill in her family members present the importance of prayer.  Nanny would want nothing less.  

While the sadness of our loss of Sarah - Mom, Nanny, Sadie - will be deeply felt by all of us, for all of our days, we are grateful that God chose us to be her family, and that He let her stay with us for 91 years.  May she rest in peace with our loved ones until we meet again.