Sarah Anne Armstrong McLaughlin

 Sarah slipped away Saturday evening April 16, 2022.

Sarah Anne Armstrong McLaughlin (47) passed away on April 16, 2022 surrounded by family and friends after a long battle with colon cancer.  Sarah was born on September 8, 1974 in Worcester, MA.  In 1978, Sarah’s family relocated to Vestal, NY, where Sarah graduated from Vestal High School in 1992.  She then journeyed to Boone, NC to attend Appalachian State University and immediately fell in love with her school, the mountains, and the State of North Carolina.  After completing her junior year, Sarah was accepted and traveled as a student with “Up With People” a student-based musical, community service and experiential learning program.   After her year as a student with “Up With People”, she was asked to join the staff and tour another year as a member of the technical department.  This is where she met Jeff and fell in love.   After completing what would be her last year on tour, she returned to Appalachian to finish her degree.  She graduated in 1998 with a Bachelor of Social Work degree.  That same year, she moved to Buford, GA to be closer to Jeff, and in November of 1998 they were married in Wake Forest, NC.  Sarah return to university in 2002 and graduated from the University of North Georgia in the Spring of 2004 with her Masters Degree in Special Education.  She began her teaching career at Davis Middle School in Flowery Branch, GA.  In May of 2004, Sarah and Jeff were blessed with the birth of their daughter Emma.  Emma instantly became the center of their universe.  In 2007, Sarah, Jeff and Emma relocated to Wilmington, NC to be closer to family and, to be honest, be close to the ocean.  Sarah began teaching at Myrtle Grove Middle School in the fall of the same year, where she taught until her death.

Sarah was and continues to be a bright light in the lives of those who knew her.  She was never happier than being surrounded by family and friends and had a way of loving and accepting everyone she met.  Her friends from Vestal, ASU, Up With People, church, and colleagues stayed by her side every step of her life.  Sarah got her love, kindness, and creativity from her family, who has also always been her biggest cheerleader and supporter.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Emma’s College Gap Year Memorial Fund can be made at any State Employee’s Credit Union in the State of North Carolina or Donations can be made to www.theblueribbonrun.org .  The Blue Ribbon Run organization is an amazing group supporting not only research, but also supporting family here in Wilmington who are affected by Colon Cancer.