Sara Elizabeth Foster
June 19, 1959 – 
Feb 5, 2024
Faith Episcopal Church, April 16, 2024
Dear Friends and family, we are gathered today to give thanks for the life of our sister Sara. She left us too soon and we wish heartily that the cancer could have been cured and that she would have enjoyed more time with us. She wanted to build a home, continue to raise her sheep, travel abroad, read and study and enjoy the fellowship of the communities of faith that gather in this space.
Sara had a bright mind and a fighting spirit. She was indispensable and highly valued at the law firm where she worked for decades. After her traumatic brain injury, she traveled to Hawaii to become a licensed cranio-sacral massage therapist. Along the way she raised sheep for both wool and meat. She loved turtles. As recently as last December she fashioned a beautiful swag of evergreen branches to decorate her home for Christmas. She enjoyed watching the children of the church run around and play.
Illness took its toll, but people drove her to church and she graced the back pew in front of the choir week after week. We were sad on the days she didn’t feel well and welcomed the days that were better.
The Gospel-writer Matthew remembered Jesus’ word about worry. We were not to worry about food or clothing, but rather to seek the kingdom of God. In many ways, Sara lived those words. Now it is our turn to take them to heart. Sara left some of you a great deal of work, cleaning out the house she lived in, figuring out where to go with books and papers. But, as that work eventually comes to an end, I hope you will – I hope all of us will — seek the path of life, the path of love, the path of goodness, mercy, grace and peace. These words describe what Matthew called the “kingdom of God.”
By ourselves we miss the mark, we are not able to perfectly follow the example of Christ, who walked that path of life, love, grace and peace. But by God’s grace we support one another in our attempts. We pray for one another when we know one another’s suffering. We remind one another that God’s love is sufficient, that our faults and missteps can be forgiven.
Today, let us give thanks for Sara’s time with us. Let us tell stories and share memories. And let us comfort one another with kind words. We have begun to live the new normal of life without Sara. May her memory be for a blessing to each of us.
Now she rests, a sheep of Jesus’ flock. He called himself a Good Shepherd, one who knows his sheep and cares for them. They also know him. Sara would understand and like that image. May we hear his voice and follow where he leads.
Blessings to you, today and always. Amen.
