Beloved Hampton Bays Elementary Teacher's Aide Turns 99

HAMPTON BAYS, NY — A well-loved Hampton Bays Elementary teacher's aide marked her 99th birthday surrounded by the school family she has loved for years.

Hampton Bays Elementary School celebrated the 99th birthday of Sarah Cunliffe with cake and desserts on Jan. 31, the district said.

"Cunliffe was all smiles as she was greeted with birthday wishes from students and fellow staff members," the district said.

Cunliffe has worked at the school for the past 20 years and has said that her longevity has everything to do with being able to work with children every day.

Working with children has been a large part of Cunliffe’s life. She began her career at the age of 16 by assisting the nuns at The Basilica Parish of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary in Southampton, the town where she grew up, the district said.

Later in life, she became the director of religious education at St. Rosalie’s Church in Hampton Bays, a position where she served for 35 years.

"She fondly remembers teaching communion and confirmation classes to Lars Clemensen, Hampton Bays’ superintendent of schools," the district said.

After retiring from her director’s position, Cunliffe said she needed to get back to work; she applied to Hampton Bays Elementary School and has been working there ever since, assisting in classrooms and in the cafeteria during lunch, the district said.

Cunliffe resides in Hampton Bays, where she raised her three children, Jackie, Joseph and Theresa.