Members of the York University community, including staff in University Information Technology and the York University Staff Association are mourning the death of Sarah Leah Carman. Ms. Carman, died on March 28 in Toronto. She had been battling cancer.
A graduate of the Faculty of Health, Ms. Carman earned a degree in Kinesiology and Health Science. She was an athlete and an accomplished swimmer. A great believer in giving back to the community, Ms. Carman volunteered with the Special Olympics as a swim coach. She was also active in the York University Staff Association (YUSAPUY), working with her colleague and friend Paula Gowdie Rose, co-chair, YUSAPUY Health and Safety Committee, and an executive board member.
“I came to know Sarah as we worked tirelessly together on the YUSAPUY Health & Safety Committee and the YUSAPUY Joint Health & Safety Committee since 2003,” said Gowdie Rose. “Sarah was later appointed as a YUSAPUY steward and also served on the All Unions Health and Safety Committee.
“Committee members came to know the spirited person that she was. Sarah was full of energy, driven to help others, responding to the needs of the YUSAPUY membership, strong in her convictions, committed to her passions,” said Gowdie Rose. “Sarah has been an integral member of the YUSAPUY Health and Safety Committee and her absence left a hole in our midst. She will be remembered for her smile, her contributions to YUSAPUY and dedication to our members, and her friendship.”
Her colleague Karen Wash, manager client services, UIT, remembers Ms. Carman for her indomitable spirit, energy and her superb baking. “Sarah was a York alumna from the Kinesiology and Health Science Program. She started working at Computing and Network Services (now UIT), first as a part-time staff, and then a full-time staff member in 2000,” said Wash. “Sarah was a strong, vivacious young woman with a compelling sense of doing things fairly, and properly. Her organizational skills kept all her colleagues on their toes! She was also a member of the YUSA Health & Safety committee for several years, and working with the special needs community, which was very important to her. Her zebra cookies are a favourite memory, and she will be greatly missed.”
Ms. Carman leaves her husband Tzvi (Haydn) Fried, her parents Michael and Anna Carman, her siblings Rebecca (Matthew Chase), and Geoffrey Carman, Choni (Aliza) and Dena Fried, and her nieces and nephews, Nachum, Naftali, Elie, Chava, Ma’ayan, and Ami. Online condolences can be submitted to a special Facebook page established in her memory.
Memorial donations may be made to Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation c/o Palliative Care at UHN (416) 946-6560 or to the Special Olympics Ontario in memory of Sarah Carman at: http://go.specialolympicsontario.ca/sarah.