Sara Carpenter '87

How do you say goodbye to the person who made ordinary days feel like celebrations? Sara turned quiet moments into laughter and brought a spark into every room. You just wanted to be with Sara as you knew, that was going to be a good day.

Sara was raised in Brownfield, Maine and attended Fryeburg Academy, graduating in 1987. Sara then attended Wheaton College and later received her Master’s Degree from the University of New Hampshire. Sara devoted 29 years of her career to teaching Social Studies at Portsmouth High School, where she was a beloved teacher, Department Head, Class Advisor, History Club Advisor, Student Council Advisor, and celebrated Field Hockey Coach.

Sara’s passion for education and coaching field hockey was evident to everyone who knew her. Coaching varsity field hockey at St Thomas in Dover and Portsmouth High School led to countless lifelong friendships with former players who cherished their time playing for “Coach”, “Coachie”, or “Carp.” Any sports discussion, of which there were many, always came back to field hockey. Sara had a love for the sport that she passed on to her players. Sara inspired players to work hard, have fun, and develop a sense of who they were as people. Many players would say, “Carp gave me the confidence to be me.” After Sara started at Seacoast Kettlebell (SKB), field hockey conditioning changed, leg cranks, burpees, and planks were usually accompanied by “Last round, best round” encouragement. Bus rides were opportunities to dance, sing, talk, and bond. Much of who Sara (Carp) was will live on in her former players and students. Sara loved you all.

Sara was also a strong runner who competed in many races (5K, 10K, half marathons and one marathon), as well as Kettlebell Competitions over the years. Whether as a coach, athlete, or fan, sports were a big part of Sara's life. Sara & Phil went to over 20 MLB Parks to see the Red Sox play in an attempt to see every ballpark. The 2023 trip to San Francisco was her favorite, the Red Sox, Wine Country, the Redwoods, the Cable car ride, and so much more made it stand out.

Sara was loved by all who knew her, whether it be friends from Fryeburg/Brownfield, Wheaton College, Portsmouth High School, the Old Ferry Landing, The Loft, or SKB. Sara loved having friends from so many different walks of life. Funny, spontaneous, and irreverent were all part of Sara being Sara. Sara’s energy was contagious, and her unique sense of humor made every gathering more fun. If you were around Sara and Phil for any length of time, you probably heard Phil say something and Sara respond, “What the _______ is wrong with you?”

Hit Me with Your Best Shot was her go to karaoke song. Summer concerts at Meadowbrook listening to Thomas Rhett, Chris Stapleton, Little Big Town, or Darius Rucker would often produce the “Brownfield Shuffle”.

Trips to the Caribbean, Fort Myers Beach (FMB), Lake Winnipesaukee, Girls’ Weekend’s, family gatherings, and all the wonderful times with family and friends were the center of Sara’s life outside of teaching and coaching. Sara loved researching places to go, always looking for someplace new, while also wanting to go back to her favorites (FMB, Grenada).

Family meant everything to Sara. Christmas Eve at the Heaton’s, Christmas Day (Mollica’s), 4th of July celebrations (Mark & Kim’s), Friendsgiving (O’Neil’s, Doherty’s), boat rides on Lake Winnipesaukee, and so much more. Time with Phil, Matt, Ashley, Phil II, Lyndsey, the grandkids, and friends, were always special. The Grandchildren, Sienna, Lane, Wren, & Matteo, who called her Sari (Sara said she was too young to be called Grammy), were drawn to her. Sienna, the oldest, learned how to roll down hills, make funny faces, and paint her fingernails with Sari.

Sara showed a courageousness that inspired all who saw her battle. Sara never complained, she lived. Sara continued to travel and spend time with family & friends. Sara faced her diagnosis the way she led her life, she lived each day to the fullest. Sara inspired us to face our challenges and find joy in life’s opportunities. Sara and Phil traveled to many destinations over the last two years. Keep living, was her mindset.

Sara graced us for too short a period of time, but what a time it was. Sara kept going strong for as long as she could. Sara never gave up or gave in, she lived! We keep that spirit within us by telling our “Sara” stories again and again. We should all be inspired to Live Like Sara!

Sara lives on through her husband, Philip Mollica, her stepsons Philip Mollica (Lyndsey Mollica) of Barrington, NH and Matt Mollica (Ashley Mollica) of Trumbull, Ct, her mom (Barbara Carpenter & (Carmine Russo) of Fryeburg, Maine & St Augustine, Fla, her brother Michael Carpenter of Bothell, Wash, the extended Heaton, Felton, and Mollica Families as well as lifelong friends who were family, too many to name here, but you know who you are. Sara was predeceased by her father, Cullen Carpenter.

So how do we say goodbye to Sara, who was such a perfect addition to all our lives? How about we just say thank you. Thank you for every laugh, every adventure, every day of energy and passion that brightened all our lives. Thank you for showing us how to live. Thank you for loving us.

A Wake will be held at the J Verne Wood Funeral home in Portsmouth, NH (84 Broad Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801) from 4-7 on July 13, 2026. A service will be held at St Thomas Episcopal Church in Dover, NH at 11 AM on July 14, 2027 (5 Hale Street, Dover, NH 03820). A celebration of Sara’s life to follow at The Loft (Strafford Farms) in Dover, NH (58 Rochester Rd, Dover, NH 03820).

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, PO Box 849168, Boston MA 02284 or via the Dana-Farber Memorial Giving Portal.