Sara Christine Dagon – 31 – of 32 Church St., Hornell, died unexpectedly Saturday (May 4, 2019) at her home.

Born in Hornell on September 12, 1987, she was the youngest daughter of Jim & Patty (Class) Dagon.

Sara grew up in Hornell and attended St. Ann School.  She later graduated from Hornell High School (class of 2005).  While in high school, she was a member of the Hornell Swim Team and the HHS Girls Modified Soccer Team.  Following high school graduation, Sara attended Alfred State College, Monroe Community College, Fingerlakes College at Canandaigua and Buffalo State College.  While attending Monroe Community College in Rochester, she was employed as a waitress at Flour City Diner.

For about 10 years, Sara resided in Florida where she worked as a waitress for several restaurants, including Flashback Diner in Ft. Lauderdale and IHOP Diner in Port St. Lucie.  Returning to Hornell in 2015, she had served as a waitress at the Country Kitchen in Hornell and The Collegiate in Alfred.  Most recently, Sara worked as a Day Care Provider for the Hornell Children’s Home, primarily at the After School Program at North Hornell School.

She was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and a communicant of St. Ann’s Church.  She was also a member of the Hornell Association.

Without a doubt, Sara will be remembered as a warm, compassionate girl who was loved by everyone.  She really had no enemies except, maybe herself.  For over 12 years, she struggled with opioid addiction.  Throughout the years, Sara tried so hard to stay clean but it seemed almost impossible to do.  She would be clean for months at a time and for some reason would relapse.  In and out of rehab facilities became the norm.

In January, 2018, Sara received the good news that she was expecting a baby.  She took the news very, very seriously and was determined to stay clean.  On September 6, 2018, Sara gave birth to a beautiful, healthy baby boy — Leo James Dagon.  Because of her addiction problems, Sara never thought that she would ever be blessed with a baby.  Despite her decade long battle with opiates, Sara fulfilled her lifelong dream of becoming a wonderful, caring & loving mother.  But, on Saturday, her demons resurfaced…….

If Sara could speak to the youth of today, she would plead to everyone listening to BE SCARED OF DRUGS — BE VERY SCARED OF DRUGS — STAY AS FAR AWAY FROM DRUGS AS POSSIBLE!!!

Sara was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Jim & Rickey Dagon; her maternal grandmother, Rosemary King; her maternal grandfather, Robert Class; her cousin, Jill Andolina; her uncle, Larry Clark.

Survivors include her 8 month old son, Leo James Dagon; her parents, Jim & Patty Dagon of Hornell;

3 sisters, Laura (Dr. Pasquale) Picco of Hornell, Jenny (Jeff) Reynolds of Arkport and Erin (Erik) Werner of North Hornell; her nieces & nephews, Nicholas Picco, Gennaro Picco, Pasquale “PJ” Picco, Marco Picco, Hannah Reynolds, Ethan Reynolds, Bryant Reynolds, Logan Werner, Harrison Werner & Evelyn Werner; many aunts, uncles & cousins.

At Sara’s family’s request there will be no calling hours.  Family & friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Friday at 2:00 PM at St. Ann’s Church.  Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Funeral arrangements are in care of the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY.

Sara’s family request that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her name be made to St. Ann’s Academy, 41 Genesee St., Hornell, NY.

A special thank you to the caring staff at CASA-TRINITY in Dansville for their tireless dedication to those struggling with the disease of addiction.