After a lengthy illness, Sarah, 85, died peacefully at home, Tuesday, February 9, 2021, with family and her devoted little poodle, Mitzy, at her side. She will be forever remembered by: Pat, her husband and “partner in crime” for over 67 years; her children: Connie (Jim) Rose, John, Terry, and Tom (Kristin); her beloved sister Jane (Dick) Fieler; and six grandchildren: Laura (Brett), Emily, Michael, David, Nicholas and Gabriella.

Sarah was born in 1935 and raised in Bargersville, Indiana by her mother Thelma Cook and Grandma Ida Cline. She was the middle child of three siblings – big brother Hobie Cook and little sister Jane. Thelma was a teacher and world traveler, and as a child, Sarah developed a lifelong love of reading. Thelma also contributed to Sarah’s yearn to travel. In later years, Sarah and Jane traveled in Europe creating cherished memories.

On Oct. 6, 1953, Sarah and Pat were married in Alexandria, Virginia where Pat was stationed in the Army. After Pat’s military discharge, they moved back to Indiana to the family farm. For the next thirty years Sarah devoted herself to raising her family and being Pat’s inspiration and helpmate. Sarah was an excellent homemaker; her house was always stylish and welcoming even on a shoestring budget. Her summer vegetable gardens were an annual cornucopia and her pantries were full of home-grown canned produce. She was also an accomplished seamstress churning out beautiful soft furnishings for the house and clothing for the family on her little Singer sewing machine

Sarah was a warm and supportive mother. She encouraged her children, was proud of their accomplishments and loved them unconditionally.

Sarah and Pat were a very social couple and their years in Boggstown, Indiana, were full of great times with good friends and family. Beginning with the Original Four, the ladies in Sarah’s bridge groups have been dear friends throughout the years.

When the kids were grown, Sarah and Pat decided to leave farming and have a bit of an adventure. They packed up a motorhome and headed West to tour Alaska. Sarah loved every minute of their travels. On the way home, they stopped in Whitefish, Montana and ended up buying two fixer upper houses – Sarah and Pat were the original house flippers. Sarah loved the mountains, but as the renovation projects wound down, she decided the tropical warmth of Florida held more appeal than a cold, snowy Montana winter.

So off they headed to Naples, Florida where they found another rundown property that they remodeled into a lovely family home. It was a stunning transformation and Florida Home and Condo ran a feature article on their handiwork in May 1989.

Florida living agreed with Sarah and when grandkids came into her life, it added to her joy. Sarah loved her children, but she adored her grandchildren and treasured every minute she spent with them. She was very happy to read endless chapters of Little House on the Prairie, get trounced at Monopoly, encourage young fishermen, and make numerous trips to the Teddy Bear Museum.

After almost 25 happy years in Florida, but with health issues looming, Sarah and Pat decided to move closer to family. They came full circle and moved back to Virginia near daughter Terry in Winchester. Sarah made many lovely new friends in Winchester and appreciated the kindness and thoughtfulness of her neighbors in Woodbrook Village. She was also delighted to discover the lovely little chocolate shop & bakery right next door to her condo complex. She enjoyed many a delicious slice of chocolate cake!

We wish to thank the Blue Ridge Hospice for their support and assistance in Sarah’s final days and gratefully acknowledge Terry’s loving and compassionate care of Mom. We encourage anyone wishing to make a memorial contribution to donate to their local Hospice.

Due to Covid restrictions, we will have a celebration of Sarah’s life at a later time. In the meantime, we suggest you have a slice of chocolate cake in Mom’s honor.