Obituary of Sara Carnrike

Sara (McCormick) Carnrike of Syracuse, New York, passed away peacefully on May 26, 2021 with her family around her. Sara was born and raised in Ballymena, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, the daughter of Andrew & Ena McCormick. She was a graduate of St. Louis Grammar School and St. Patrick’s College. Upon completion of school, Sara worked in retail, including as an assistant manageress of a clothing shop, before achieving her lifelong dream of being a nurse. She served as a licensed practical nurse at Waveney Hospital in Ballymena for several years. In 1975, Sara traveled to America with her friend Brigid Casey. It was on this trip that she met Tom. After a long-distance relationship composed of letters and the occasional visit, Sara married Thomas M. Carnrike at St. Paul’s Church in Norwich, New York on June 4, 1977. Although she resided in Syracuse for the rest of her life, she never surrendered her connections to Ireland. Sara and Tom raised their two children, Catherine and Thomas, in a home filled with love and laughter, and gifted them an appreciation of their Irish roots with frequent trips home to Ballymena and Portstewart and tours all over Northern Ireland and Ireland, with Sara behind the wheel. Family was everything to Sara and she wanted to make sure that her children knew their Irish relatives and the country that she loved. Sara was a skilled knitter whose Irish sweaters, mittens and hats became cherished heirlooms for all who received them. She lived by the motto, “Where There’s a Will There’s a Way.” In recent years, her favorite spot was home, with a strong cup of tea, a biscuit, and her wee dog Darby by her side. She was a communicant of St. Daniel’s Church in Lyncourt, New York. Sara was predeceased by her parents and her brothers Martin and James. She is survived by her husband Tom and children Catherine and Thomas, as well as brother Andrew McCormick (Shirley), sisters Kathleen Mitchell (Gerry), Hazel Gilmore (Francis), and Andrea McCormick, sister-in-law Patricia McCormick, and several nieces and nephews. Sara was a devoted wife and mother whose wisdom and guidance will be greatly missed. In lieu of flowers, Sara’s family encourages donations to St. Daniel’s Church or Helping Hounds Dog Rescue. A private Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Daniel’s Church and will be made available online after 1:00PM on June 2, 2021 at www.shepardsonfh.com.