Sarah Wagner
Sarah Bess Stewart Wagner (Bessie), age 90, passed away peacefully in a room full of love on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 at the Adirondack Medical Center in Saranac Lake, following a short illness.
Bessie was born on Jan. 25, 1935 in Newton, Mississippi to Mason Stewart and Marion Gandy Stewart. She was their only child and the apple of their eyes. Bessie attended what was then Mississippi Southern College Demonstration School for elementary through 11th grade, and graduated from Hazelhurst High School in 1952. She then attended the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg where she was a member of Tri Delta sorority and graduated with her teaching degree in 1956.
Bessie met the love of her life, Gerard Wagner, and they married on Dec. 18, 1955. The story that Bess and Gerard liked to tell is that they went out for coffee, crossed the state line into Louisiana and eloped. They were married for 49 years and raised two sons, Stewart and Clifford.
Her teaching career began in South Florida. Later, Bess and Gerard moved to Albany, New York, where she received her master’s degree from Russell Sage College. Bessie taught kindergarten for over 20 years at Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk Central School, retiring in 1995.
Bessie was an avid reader, runner and gardener. She loved feeding and entertaining her friends and family at her beloved Willowbrook Farm in Surprise, New York. She was a music lover and enjoyed jazz festivals and all things New Orleans. An upbeat, positive person, Bessie had a gift for touching everyone she met, young and old. She was a power of example for many, and friends frequently sought her advice and counsel.
In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Gerard Wagner. She is survived by her son Stewart Wagner and his partner Jane Masterson; daughter-in-law Michaelina Wagner; son Dr. Clifford Wagner and his wife Claire; three grandchildren, Caitlin Bottcher and her husband Evan, Matthew Wagner, Mason Wagner and wife Cody; as well as three great-grandchildren, Drake Bottcher, Fiona Bottcher, Llewyn Wagner, and a multitude of loving friends that Bessie considered family.
Funeral arrangements are in care of the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home in Saranac Lake. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, February 15 at Saranac Village at Will Rogers in Saranac Lake. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Bessie’s name to the Saranac Lake Free Library.
The family extends their deepest gratitude to Dr. Corliss, the ICU staff, and the third floor nursing staff at Adirondack Health for their excellent care.