Sara was a graduate of Olean High School Class of 1963. In 1967 she graduated from the College of Wooster in Ohio where she majored in the Religion and Philosophy, and in 1970 graduated from Princeton Theological Seminary with a Master's of Divinity Degree.
Sara was an Ordained Presbyterian Minister serving Presbyterian Churches in Ohio and Texas. She was also trained as a Chaplin Minister.
In 1986, she moved to her home at the Chautauqua Institution. The Chautauqua community became the focus of her life. She had a beautiful soprano voice and shared her talent in the Motet and Chautauqua Choirs. Highlights included being a Cantor for Sunday Morning Worship, and participating in the Carmina Burana. She was a proud graduate of the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle (CLSC) and served on fund raising committees for the Institution.
Sara was a philanthropist who was very passionate about environmental issues and at one time was involved with the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy which concentrated on the ecological effort to clean up the lake.
Her nieces and nephews she considered her children and "Tiny" Aunt Sara was generous and loving. She was especially close to her Uncle John and Aunt Bev, and her cousins. A multi talented musician, Sara was accomplished at playing the piano, harp, tympani, and viola.
She is survived by her loving parents Ward and Mary Wilday of Cuba; a brother, Ward C, "Skip" (Greta) Wilday of Cuba;
two sisters, Paula (Paul) Chisholm of Venice, Florida, and Cynthia (Stephen, Jr.) Ebsary of Ellicottville;
nieces, Robin (John) Herbon, Beth (Jim) Woods, Courtney and Oksana Wilday; nephews, Tim Ebsary, Bill (Melanie Barr) Ebsary,
and Trek Wilday; an uncle, John (Bev) Bradley; cousins, Marcy Bradley, Debbie Arzberger, George Bradley, Jim Clark, and Paul
Clark.
In addition to her father, George Bradley, she was predeceased by her loving companion and fiance George W. Cann on June 5, 2009 and a niece, Kaleigh Wilday, September 25, 2002.
Friends are invited to attend a Memorial visitation on Saturday, July 11, 2009 at the First Baptist Church of Cuba, 17 South Street, Cuba, New York 14727 from 10:00 until 11:00 A.M. at which time a memorial service will be held. The Rev. Alexandra Freer, New Ministries Specialist, will officiate.
Memorial Suggestion's include the Kaleigh Wilday Foundation, 211 North Union Street, Olean, New York 14760 or to Home Care and Hospice, 1225 West State Street, Olean, New York 14760. Olean General Foundation Main Street Olean New York 14760.
Arrangements under direction of the Mark F. Rinker Funeral Home & Memorial Service, Inc. 9 Bull Street, Cuba
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