Sarah (Petock) Vopelak

Sarah Vopelak of Pleasantville, New York, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, died suddenly on March 15, 2025. She was 73 years old. Sarah was born at Lawrence Hospital in Bronxville, New York in 1952. Her parents, Andrew and Margaret Petock, and her brother, Thomas Racek, preceded her in death. Sarah is survived by her loving husband of 49 years, Robert Vopelak, whose dedication to her was unwavering. Sarah is also survived by her siblings, Andrew Petock of Charlestown, Rhode Island, Janice McCarthy of Tucson, Arizona, Timothy Racek of Jupiter, Florida and Denise Racek Jodry of Atascadero, California, her children, Sarah Johnston of Harrison, New York, Jill Palcho of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Kevin Vopelak of Charlotte, North Carolina. Sarah also has five adoring grandchildren who brought her immeasurable joy. Sarah’s family was her greatest pride and the cornerstone of her life. Raised in Yonkers, New York, Sarah graduated from Manhattan College in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science in accounting. Sarah was a trailblazer, as one of the first women to enroll at the previously all-male college. It was at Manhattan College that Sarah met her future husband, Robert, a fellow accounting student. Robert recalls falling in love with Sarah at first sight, and the two were married in 1975 at Sacred Heart Parish in Yonkers, New York. Following graduation, Sarah worked as an accountant for Price Waterhouse & Co. and Madison Square Garden Corporation in New York City. Sarah was an excellent accountant and was well regarded in her field by her clients and peers. However, in 1980, after the birth of her first child, Sarah made the selfless decision to leave her career behind to dedicate herself fully to raising her children. As a mother, Sarah’s devotion to her children was evident in everything she did. She ensured her children excelled academically, often reviewing their schoolwork and quizzing them for exams. Additionally, Sarah volunteered countless hours as a class mother and Girl Scout leader and was an active participant in many other school and extra-curricular activities—all while preparing home-cooked meals for her family daily. The fruits of Sarah’s labor were realized when her daughters, Sarah and Jill, were both accepted to Georgetown University, and her son, Kevin, was accepted to Clarkson University. In her youth, Sarah attended Sacred Heart School in Yonkers, where she was a cheerleader and played the bagpipes. It was a proud day for Sarah when she and the rest of the Sacred Heart Highlander Pipes and Drums band marched in the New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Sarah battled serious health problems throughout her adult life but was fortunate to have in Robert a devoted and compassionate spouse. Sarah and Robert fought valiantly against these ailments until she succumbed to her final illness on March 15. Sarah was happiest surrounded by her children and grandchildren, especially when they gathered together on the beautiful beach at the Ocean Colony in Amagansett, New York.
Sarah will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Family and friends are invited to Pleasant Manor Funeral Home, Inc. 575 Columbus Avenue - Thornwood, New York 10594 on Friday, March 21, 2025 from 3:00 - 7:00 PM for visitation.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Sarah at Holy Innocent's Church in Pleasantville on Saturday, March 22, 2025 at 10:00 AM.  Sarah will be laid to rest in her family plot at Gate of Heaven Cemetery following the funeral mass. 

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