Sara T. Chevako, 82, of New Woodstock, passed away Saturday, November 26, 2022. She was born June 18, 1940 to John and Eleanor Renninger and spent her childhood in Williamsport, PA. After graduating from Williamsport High School in 1958, Sara went on to pursue her bachelor’s degree in chemistry at Cornell University.
During her time at Cornell, Sara married and gave birth to her son, Michael.
Balancing motherhood with her career, Sara was employed as a chemist at Bristol Laboratories in Syracuse. It was also during her time in Bristol that Sara bought her hundred acre farm in New Woodstock, where she was finally able to fulfill her lifelong dream of owning horses. The farm became a gathering place for the many friends Sara made through work, travel and playing folk music.
After three years of companionship, Sara married local engineer Robert Chevako, who loved her and was devoted to her until the day she died.
She was also extremely proud when son Michael followed in her footsteps and attended her college course, Cornell University, to pursue a career in radio and television.
When her division of Bristol Labs moved to Illinois in 1984, Sara chose to take early retirement rather than leave the area she had grown to love. After working as a freelance bookkeeper for area businesses, Sara agreed to take a position with State Senator Nancy Larraine Hoffman, a longtime friend. In her more than 10 years as the Senator’s trusted aide, Sara’s help has been invaluable in keeping the Senator on task and on target, working diligently for the people of New York State.
In her spare time, Sara developed a passion for riding, raising and showing Tennessee Walking horses. It gave him great pleasure to see his beautiful horses grazing in the pasture outside the barn. Sara was also an integral part of both the New York State Horse Council and the New Woodstock Historical Society, holding several positions in both organizations.
Sara became fascinated with genealogy later in life and was a consummate detective when it came to finding not only her relatives but also the relatives of other residents in the area. As a result, she became a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Sara was a loving grandmother to her two grandsons, Xander and Cooper, and took great pride in their academic, athletic and extracurricular achievements. She was steadfast in her love, support and encouragement for all their endeavours.
Sara leaves behind her husband of 48 years, Robert Chevako of New Woodstock, as well as her son Michael Dawson, daughter-in-law Laura Anderson and grandsons Xander and Cooper Dawson, all of Hanover, MA, as well as countless friends around the world. . Her sense of humor, sharp wit, unquenchable curiosity and zest for life will be missed by all.
A celebration of life for Sara will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Sarah’s memory may be made to the New York State Horse Council, PO Box 76, Harpursville, NY 13787-0076 or online at nyshc.org. Condolences to the family may be left at michaelebrownfuneralservices.com.