Vera Imogene “Jean” Sarsany of Witt, 94, died on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, at Ascension Living Saint Anne Place in Rockford.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, Oct. 12, from 9 to 11 a.m. at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Hillsboro, with a funeral mass immediately afterwards. Interment follows at St. Barbara’s Cemetery in Witt.
Mrs. Sarsany was born on April 15, 1930, in McClure, to Helen Moore and Alvin Dillman. She attended SIU Carbondale where she was editor of the college newspaper and yearbook while majoring in journalism and English.
She married Andrew “Andy” Paul Sarsany on August 18, 1956, and he preceded her in death.
For over thirty years she was the English teacher and librarian at Witt High School. She was highly regarded by her fellow teachers, staff and students.
Mrs. Sarsany was an avid reader and storyteller who also enjoyed antiques, card games and bird watching. She had a strong sense of family and loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She is survived by her six children, Helen (John) McConaghy of Powell, OH, Peter (Jennifer) Sarsany of Colts Neck, NJ, Martin (Cathy) Sarsany of West Dundee, Mary Parker of Chatham, Barbara (Michael) Welge of Champaign and Michael (Jami) Sarsany of Rockford; 14 grandchildren, Joseph McConaghy, Caitlin McConaghy, Ryan Sarsany, Laura Tinsley, Rhett Sarsany, Nicholas Sarsany, Alexander Sarsany, Anna Sarsany, Evan Parker, Madison Parker, Michael Welge, Jordan Sarsany, London Sarsany and Peyton Sarsany; and eight great-grandchildren, Sebastian Sarsany, Phoebe Sarsany, Quinn Tinsley, Willow Tinsley, Evee Sarsany, Corbin Sarsany, Michael Welge Jr and Paxton Sarsany.
Condolences may be left online at www.stiehldawsonfh.com.
