Sarah 'Sadie' J. Hollenbeck

A Life well lived is a precious gift of hope and strength and grace from someone who has made our world a brighter, better place.Sarah J. Sadie Hollenbeck, 84, a well known and very much loved resident ofNewark Valley, passed away in Florida on Saturday, February 12, 2011 following a brief illness.Sadie is survived by her children and their spouses, Burton and Carol Oliver, Glenn and Pamela Shoffler, Ed and Holly Hollenbeck, grandchildren: Julie and John Wurtenberg, Kristi and Elliott Ralton, Kelly and John Artman, Karen and Mike Kain, Brian Oliver, Brandi and Kevin Beaver, Erin and Eric Short, Eddie John Hollenbeck, 16 great grandchildren (she was eagerly anticipating the arrival of her 17th). Also surviving are her sister Charlotte Forsey, brother John (Diana) Lyons, brother-in-law, Joseph Hutchinson and several nieces and nephews.Sadie was born in Londonderry, Northern Ireland on June 6, 1926 a daughter of Percy and Elizabeth (Kilgore) Lyons. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Harold Butch Hollenbeck, his parents, Eddie John and Helen Hollenbeck, her sisters, Edith Hutchinson, May Logan, Nell Emm, brothers, Harry and Sonny Lyons and brother-in-law, Keith Forsey.Sadie and Butch met in Londonderry while Butch was serving as a US Marine and stationed there during WW II. They were married on Aug. 17, 1944 in Londonderry and returned to Newark Valley with their infant daughter Carol in the spring of 1946. Butch and Sadie succeeded his parents business by establishing Hollenbecks IGA on Main St in 1958. Currently, a third generation business, operated by their son, Eddie John Hollenbeck.Sadie was an active member of First United Methodist Church, Newark Valley. She was a devoted Mother, adored her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She loved to visit, shop and travel and was blessed with a beautiful smile and a very special gift of making everyone feel very extra special!Sadies family will receive friends at the MacPherson Funeral Home, 5 Whig St. Newark Valley on Saturday from 3-6pm. A funeral service and celebration of her life will be held at the First United Methodist Church on Sunday at 2 PM. Rev. Nancy J. Adams, her pastor, will officiate.Spring interment will be in the family plot at Hope Cemetery. Friends wishing may kindly consider directing memorials in her memory to her church or to Hope Hospice House, 2430 Diplomat Pkway. East, Cape Coral, FL 33909 (www.hopehospice.org). Memories and condolences may be signed in her guestbook at www.macphersonfh.com