Obituary of Sarah J. Harper

Sodus: Passed away peacefully with her daughter at her side, after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer, on Thursday, December 30th, 2010 at the age of 75. Sarah is survived by her daughter Susan Elizabeth Harper Speer of Springfield, Ohio, and son Robert George (Cathy) Harper of Woolwich, Maine; her grandchildren Kristianna Kay Harper of Bellevue, Nebraska, Robert James Harper of Woolwich, Maine, Katrina Susanne Speer (James Maccalous) of Englewood, Colorado, Laura Elizabeth (Ben) Mowen of Columbus, Ohio, Jessica Lynn Speer of Springfield, Ohio; great-granddaughters Haylie Elizabeth Maccalous and Emily Elizabeth Mowen; sister Lee Johnson of Ontario, NY; and many dear and beloved friends. Sarah was predeceased by her husband Robert M. Harper, and by her parents Vira and Jasper Vanderzille. A 1952 graduate of Sodus Central School, Sarah was a lifelong resident of Sodus. She had worked at the Murphy Photographic Studio for 26 years, as well as operating her own business “Knits by Sarah” for nearly 30 years. Sarah was very involved in her community, volunteering in the following organizations/clubs: Sodus Garden Club, Sodus Lioness Club, Sodus Free Library where she held knitting classes, past President of the TWIG Association at Myers Community Hospital, Eastern Star, Sodus Point Historical Society, Sodus Point Neighborhood Association, Walk to Emmaus, Sodus Bay Heights Golf Club and the American Cancer Society. Sarah was an active member of the Sodus Point United Methodist Church. Visitation will not be observed. A Memorial Service celebrating Sarah’s life will be held on Saturday, January 29th beginning at 2 p.m. at the Sodus Point United Methodist Church, 7490 South Ontario Street, Sodus Point, NY, where a reception for family and friends will be held immediately following. At the request of the Harper family, please consider a donation in lieu of flowers to the Keuka Comfort Care Home, 35 Route 54 East Lake Road, Penn Yan, NY, 14527. Arrangements: Norton Funeral Home, Sodus.