Obituary of Sarah Jones

Sarah Smith Jones, 45, of Horseheads, New York, passed away on Monday, April 27, 2026, after a courageous battle with AML (acute myeloid leukemia) at the Wilmot Cancer Center in Rochester, NY. After nearly a decade of illness and countless hospital visits, Sarah was diagnosed with an aggressive form of AML. She fought valiantly through an eight-year struggle with bone marrow failure, a condition believed to have been caused by toxin exposure at the school where she began her teaching career more than 20 years ago. She was born on September 13, 1980, in Cortland, New York. The beautiful daughter of Ralph and Kathy McLorn Smith. She was awesome. Sarah graduated from Cortland Jr.-Sr. High School in 1998. Earned her teaching degree from SUNY Cortland, and master's degree in Information Science and Technology from Syracuse University. Sarah had a deep passion for books and reading, which led her to a meaningful career as a beloved librarian in several schools throughout the Elmira and Ithaca areas. She found great joy in helping others discover stories and develop a love of learning, leaving a lasting impression on students and colleagues alike. Sarah was a loving mother, daughter, sister, cousin, niece, and friend. She will be remembered for her warmth, humor, beautiful voice, zest for life, and the deep love she had for her family—especially her two daughters. She took immense pride in her girls, the most important people in her life, and was dedicated to raising them to be kind, honest, empathetic, generous, and joyful. She cherished watching them play sports and celebrating their academic achievement Some of Sarah's happiest moments were spent playing cards, board games, and playing on the Nintendo Switch with her girls and their friends. She was known as one of the funniest people you could meet, bringing laughter and light wherever she went Sarah also had a passion for music. She enjoyed karaoke, belting out songs with her amazing voice, and playing the cello, sharing her creativity and joy with those around her. Sarah is survived by her daughters, Claire Margaret (15) and Chloe Elizabeth (13); her grieving parents, her brother, William "Billy" Smith; her aunt, Anne McLorn and her sons Patrick and James; her special cousins, Laurie Marks and Liane Bracciale; her cousin, constant companion, and caretaker, Stephaney Powell; her best friend, Jenni Cusson; as well as many extended family members, friends, colleagues, and the countless students whose lives she touched. Calling hours will be Friday May 8, 2026 4-7 pm at the Wright-Beard Funeral home inc., 9 Lincoln Ave., Cortland NY, online condolences may be left at www.wright-beard.com A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday May 9, 2026, 11 am at St. Mary's Church, Cortland NY. Burial to follow at the Cortland rural Cemetery.