Sarah Cartner

Sarah Lynn Cartner, 38, passed away suddenly after a short illness on October 11, 2020 at Geneva Shores Nursing Home in Geneva. She was born March 21, 1982, the daughter of Miriam Cartner and Gary Cartner. She grew up in Ashtabula, graduated from Happy Hearts School and participated in Ashtabula County Special Olympics. Prior to her illness, she was employed at Creative Learning Workshop in Geneva.
Sarah lived her exceptional life with determination and courage, finding enjoyment in bowling, watching movies (in the theater whenever possible), gambling, eating out, talking on the phone, coloring her hair with every color of the rainbow, and passing the many hours of her long COVID restricted isolations reading books. She always loved planning her own birthday celebrations but, most of all, Sarah enjoyed being with family. Her most fervent wish, as she struggled her entire life with the frustration of who she appeared to be, was to be appreciated and loved for who she was and who she wanted to be for others.
Her father, Gary Cartner, preceded her in death, as did her grandparents Ed Reitzer, Annie Reitzer Daugherty, and William Cartner; Uncle Bill (Cartner), Aunt Ruth (Baukema), and Uncle Allan (Reitzer). Those she loved who are sharing the loss of her include Sarah's mother Miriam Cartner (Kathleen Milford); sister Emily Cartner D'Alessandro (Zach Porter); brother Jeremy Cartner (Andrea); grandmother Shirley Cartner; nephews and niece Oliver, Charlie, Agatha Cartner and John D'Alessandro; Aunt Sandy Pollock (Larry), Aunt Lynn Reitzer Capanyola; cousins Ed, Allan, Kelly, Sharon, David, Larry, and Michael; and her second family at Kimball home in Madison.
Due to the current health emergency, family and friends are invited to share in an outdoor celebration of Sarah's life on Wednesday, October 14 at the Harpersfield Covered Bridge Park (South Pavilion). The gathering and greeting begins at 4:00 pm, with an informal group sharing of memories at 5:00. Guests are requested to respect all in attendance with masks and social distancing.
Memorials in Sarah's name may be sent to Special Olympics of Ashtabula County (c/o Czup Funeral Home, 1329 Lake Avenue, Ashtabula, OH 44004), the charity of your choice, OR to surprise a developmentally disabled person with a gift of lottery or cinema theater tickets.