Sarah was born in Glasgow in 1927 to Jane and Patrick Byrnes. The family relocated to Coleraine in Northern Ireland with Patricks Police work and soon saw the addition of a sister, Elizabeth and brother Richard.

Always a bright and capable child, Sarah won a scholarship to Loreto school where she thrived. She was particularly gifted at French (very useful forwhen she emigrated to Montreal in her late '20's).

A colourful, confident character even from an early age. During WWII, she enjoyed chatting with the American servicemen stationed at a nearby airbase and she gave one of them a puppy from her Dads dog!

On leaving school, she worked for a local property entrepreneur but wanted to be able to do more for more people so, on passing the Civil Service entry exam, which was quite an exclusive club, she joined the service within which
she stayed for many years.

She was an active social member of the world famous Royal Portrush Golf Club, to name but one of the many groups she loved mixing in.

Sarah created her new life after emigrating to Canada with the Civil Service in 1957. At one point, she was PA to the Minister for Native People Affairs and it was a very senior position in the ministry.

Always so generous to her family back in England, Christmas particularly would involve a big box arriving by air mail, containing everything from woollen hats, jeans, apples and even a first pair of gold striped football
boots!

To her nephews, she was the fascinating, exotic aunt who travelled the world. When we were young, she would quiz us on the names of capital cities and when we were older, Sarah and Mike would entertain us in person in both
Toronto and at the Lake cottage. Spoiling us with treats, travel and stories. It is amazing that we find so many family and friends whom she had visit or went to see over the years.

Sarah was a great letter writer and as travel became more challenging, the letters and phone calls became longer and richer. Never shy of sharing an opinion on anything from politics to travel and even human nature, her
pragmatic, no nonsense wisdom shone through.

Generous, wise, hardworking, with an infectious laugh, Sarah was dearly loved by her surviving brother, nephews and their extended family. She will also be greatly missed by her stepdaughter Lisa and her family. May she rest in peace.