It is with sadness and a broken heart I announce the passing of my beloved mother, Sarah Jane Michal, in the early morning hours of August 20, 2017.

I was privileged to have an arm wrapped around her and place a kiss on her right cheek, as she passed peacefully through the Heavenly Gates.

Each day without her is almost unbearable, but I know her suffering is no longer.

Mom was predeceased by her parents, George and Helen Craig, a brother, Larry, who died as an infant, and two sets of grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Corey and Estelle Stairs and Mr. and Mrs. Edward and Sarah Craig.

Mom is survived by people whom she loved and whom loved her very much. In addition to myself, Nicole Ayn McCurrach, Mom is survived by my husband/her son-in-law George P. M. McCurrach, Jr., her beautiful granddaughters, Kendall and Taylor McCurrach, her brother, Dewaine Craig and sister-in-law, Sarah, her nephews Christopher (Dawn) and Adam (Angela), her niece, Beth (Rex) and her precocious cat, Megan.

Mom also leaves behind three women she thought the world of – Ashley, Karen and Rita. Mom loved you ladies like daughters.

I so appreciate the love and care Mom received from three dear friends, the Reverend Doctor Tom Coye, Reverend Karen Stanley and Ginny Fuhrmeister, who provided countless hours of ministry, consoling, friendship, guidance and solace in many times of need and at all hours of the day and night.

After moving from her birthplace, Maine, in 1979, to Weems, Mom worked her way up from teller at Bank of Lancaster in Kilmarnock to senior officer of the Trust Department at Chesapeake National Bank, also in Kilmarnock. In 1989, Mom formed her own very successful company, Financial Management Services. Along with Nancy Acree, Judy Fay, Michelle Lewis, Christie Smith and Alice Winstead, the business flourished for many years.

Mom was a member of Campbell Memorial Presbyterian Church in Weems and St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Kilmarnock. She served as: an elder on The Session; a Sunday-School teacher, Moderator of the Fellowship Committee, a member of the Stephen Ministry, the New-Member Committee, the Missions Committee, the Presbyterian Pilgrimage and as a lay reader.

One of the most-rewarding creations of Mom’s was a small group that made and delivered Thanksgiving meals to those in need in Lancaster and surrounding counties. The first year, 1984, approximately 12 people received meals. As the years wore on, hundreds of people were served by a plethora of volunteers who made the most-delicious Thanksgiving meals and delivered them with smiles on their faces.

Speaking of smiles, being present for the births of our daughters, Kendall and Taylor, made Mom unbelievably proud. She cherished her granddaughters and treasured the time she spent with them.

May Mom watch over our precious daughters and be their guardian angel now and always.

Rest in peace, Mom.

To end on a happy note, I hope Mom is eating lobster, clams and corn-on-the-cob with loved ones she’s lost – most especially her parents.