Mrs. Sarah Colanthia Rippon Carignan, 97, passed away peacefully on Feb. 17, 2026, at Monadnock Community Hospital in Peterborough, N.H.
Colanthia was born on Jan. 17, 1929, in Seaview on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, just down the road from Cape Charles. She and her twin sister were welcomed into the world by her late parents, Harry Thomas Rippon and Evelyn Rooks Rippon.
A woman of strength, determination, and beauty, Colanthia often spoke fondly of her childhood in that special place nestled between the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. The beach — with its rolling waves and calling seagulls — remained her most cherished sanctuary throughout her life.
In her early twenties, Colanthia left the Eastern Shore and began a life of travel as an Army wife. Her journey took her to Paris, France, as well as to Washington, D.C.; West Point, N.Y.; and San Antonio, Texas.
In 2003, she returned home to Virginia’s Eastern Shore, where she lived for 13 years. In 2016, she moved to Peterborough to be closer to her children and resided at Scott-Farrar at Peterborough for 10 years.
Colanthia attended Longwood University (then Longwood College) in Farmville, and later earned a master’s degree in sociology and psychology from University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas.
Affectionately known to her family as “Cansie,” and lovingly called “GG” by her great-grandchildren, she will be deeply missed by her five daughters, Teresa Rogers, Karen Peterson, and Jeanette Scott, all of Peterborough; Suzanne Carignan, of Shreveport, La.; and Sarah Carignan Weinberg (Russell), of Dallas, Texas.
She is also survived by her cherished grandchildren, Cristina Neusch of Houston, Texas; Robert Rogers, of Boston, Mass.; Sloane Castleman, of New York, N.Y.; Shea Castleman, of Houston; and John Weinberg, of Dallas; and by her beloved great-grandchildren: Celeste, Stevie, and Josh Neusch, and Katelyn and Ethan Sisco-Rogers.
Colanthia also leaves behind beloved nieces and nephews, Sandra Disharoon Settles, of Salisbury, Md.; Keith Disharoon (Diane), of Cape Charles; Roy J. Ayres Jr. (Debbie), of Chesapeake; Sarah Ayres Boehling (Rich), of Richmond; Thomas Ayres, of Virginia Beach; and Maria Ayres (Robyn), of New Smyrna Beach, Fla., along with many great-nieces and great-nephews.
She was predeceased by her son, Robert E. Carignan Jr.; her twin sister, Evelyne Ayres; her husband, Retired Lt. Col. Robert E. Carignan; her siblings, Myrtis Rippon, Harry Rippon Jr., and Jeanette Disharoon; and her niece, Harryette Bowdoin.
The family extends heartfelt thanks to the caring staff at Scott-Farrar and to Independent Home Care of Jaffrey for their loving and gracious support in her final years and months.
Graveside services and burial will take place at Cape Charles Cemetery on Saturday, Feb. 28, at 10:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, for those who wish, memorial donations may be made in Colanthia’s honor to Holy Angels, 10450 Ellerbe Road, Shreveport, LA 71106 or at laholyangels.org
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.doughtyfuneralhome.com
Arrangements were made by Doughty Funeral Home in Exmore.
