Cecelia "Sarah" Skanaieh:a (Monroe) Hassenplug

Cecelia “Sarah” Skanaieh:a (Monroe) Hassenplug, age 67, passed into the spirit world on Jan. 7, 2012 at Crouse Hospital where she received excellent care by the staff of the ICU.

Sarah was born in Snye, Quebec on October 14, 1944 to Louise Sunday and Richard Monroe. Sarah was predeceased by her parents, her husband, Patrick Hassenplug (2011), her brother Alfred (1996), her sisters Rosemary (2009), Agnes (2009), Ruth (2010), her aunt Cecelia Sunday, (2010) and her best friend, Bear (2010).

She is survived by her sisters Harriet Lauzon (Pete), Cheryl Cummings (John), Una Weigand (Rick), Arlene Felicia, two brothers, Charles and Phillip Doxtater, many nieces and nephews and her good friends Candace Kranitz and Terry Steele and her brother in-law Gene Marmon.

She will also be missed by her Akwesasne Family. She made crafts and baskets to display and sell at the NYS Fair along with her niece Darlene Cook, great niece Sandi Cook and great- grand niece Kariwiiostha Dupree. Her nephew Michael (Yvonne) Peters and niece Valerie (Mike) Mitchell will also miss her.

She is survived by many loving cousins Peter (Darlene) Sunday, Grace “Kahentente” (Peter) Mitchell, Dorothy Lazore, Joe and Angus Lazore, Joyce Sharrow, Emmy Mitchell, Diane (Billy) Mitchell, Dora (John) Lazore, Helen (William) Phillips and Delsie Day.

Sarah was a passionate advocate for the Kateri Tekakwitha cause for Canonization to Sainthood during the past 40 years. Sarah was on the Native American Advisory Council at the Kateri National Shrine in Fonda, N.Y.. Sarah was also a published author of “The Vignettes of the Life of the Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha. “

Sarah was retired bus driver of 37 years for the Liverpool and Syracuse school districts. She also worked as a cultural and language advisor for the CNY Prison Ministries dealing with Native American inmates. Sarah loved the company of her pets, Bear, Sam, Cody, and Bootsi. In lieu of flowers we are requesting donations to be made to the Kateri National Shrine, PO Box 627 Fonda, N.Y. 12068.

Calling hours started Tuesday, January 10, 2012 until a Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday, January 12, 2012 at St. Lucy’s Church, 426 Gifford St. Syracuse, N.Y. Arrangements by Butler-Badman Funeral Home, 4504 West Seneca Turnpike, Syracuse, NY 13215.