Tributes to Sara

I, like many sending tributes, really didn't know Sara very well
'personally' but from seeing her at cons, on con videos and by
report, added to the vigil we have kept for her throughout her
illness, I now feel a deep sense of loss which is disproportionate to
the time I actually spent 'in the same room' with her. I can only
explain this in that she was just an extraordinary person and I am
honoured that she touched my life.

This evening I will take the news to my deaf friends who have been
praying for Sara every week.

Much love
\M/
Sue                      suehaley@zetnet.co.uk

"I have spread my dreams under your feet,
Tread softly, because you tread on my dreams"
                                 (W.B.Yeats)

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Tribute for Sara by Maranda Hull (Texas)

I'm stunned and heartbroken about Sara. It's true, I didn't know her as well as I'd liked to have. But I knew about her. And I knew she is a verteran, which tells me a lot. I know she faced this with so much bravery. And I know what it is like to lose someone. Could you give me some addresses where I might send something to tell those around her we're here. I know we have lost people in our lives but I think this is the first we've lost in our family that was so much a part of us all. But God needed her more than we did and when we all pray and fight things and it is inevitable it is to tell us that His plan is better than ours. Whatever can I do, Linda? I will say prayers, light candles and support those that need me. Anything else, please include me. I'm including something in Jamie's newsletter. Jamie knew her and did a very funny thing during a time she was in the costume contest.....the tunnel rat killer! I'll find out the year and share that fun story. Love, Maranda Go to: [Top of Page][Tribute Index]

Dear Linda

I'm so very, very sorry about Sara.   I doubt Sara would have
recognised me if we'd met again (my only real 'physical' contact with her, was
at a convention over here in England in '91 (?), when she had her video camera 
set up on a tripod near one of the doors to the main room, and I tripped over
 one of the legs as I tried to get to my seat.  I glared at her (just a little
;-) and she immediately apologised).  So I doubt she'd have remembered me, but
 I saw her 2 or 3 times after that, as 'The Ratcatcher' on stage, encouraging 
'Myhr' in his hilarious antics.   It's so terribly sad that we'll never see our
little 'Ratcatcher'again.

I never saw any family for Sara mentioned in any of your messages last year,
but naturally, my deepest sympathy goes out to any and ALL her family members
and friends.

I know whatever tribute is made to Sara at this year's US convention, will be
appropriate, compassionate and poignant.  I'll be there with you all.

Love
AVRIL XXX

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...Seems like God was having a Big Parade when He welcomed Sara through the
gates. 

I'm going to skip down a few lines and include some poems that were read at
my grandaughters funeral. Maybe they will help. You can relay them and my
message to those who knew Sara. Thanks for doing this for me. 

                                               Love,
                                               Patricia (Thomas)


To those who knew Sara,

     I never had the privilege of meeting Sara or sharing a conversation. I
recall with a smile all the times that I saw her walk across the stage in
her Rat Catcher costume. To you who were her friends, I grieve with you. My
heart has been heavy since I learned of the seriousness of her illness and
now her passing. These poems were read at my baby grandaughters funeral.
Maybe they will help in some way. Please know that my thoughts and prayers
are with everyone in fandom who feels this loss. Even though we are all
separated from each other by miles and oceans, we can know that we are all
surrounded by God's love and that the angels now have Sara in their care.

                         The Light

         Did you ever see in the dark of night,
            A tiny flame sending forth its light?
         Because it was there all fear was gone,
            And well you knew someone was home.

Sara is at home with God.


                         He maketh no mistake     by A.M. Overton

           My Father's way may twist and turn,
             My heart may throb and ache,
           But in my soul I am glad I know,
             He maketh no mistake.

           My cherished plans may go astray,
             My hopes may fade away,
           But still I'll trust my Lord to lead
             For He doth know the way.

           Tho' night be dark and it may seem
              That day will never break;
           I'll pin my faith, my all in Him,
              He maketh no mistake.

           There's so much now I cannot see,
              My eyesight's far too dim;
           But come what may, I'll simply trust
              And leave it all to Him.

           For by and by the mist will lift
              And plain it all He'll make,
           Through all the way, tho' dark to me
              He made not one mistake.

God bless you all.                     Patricia Thomas

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Like most of the people in this fandom family, I didn't know Sara that
well. To me, she was "the rat-catcher" in the con Masquerade, who I
talked with briefly at the annual conventions.

Until, that is, that memorable Masquerade bit at the Vegas con in '94
(thankfully, immortalized on tape!)...the rat-catcher made her entrance,
strode with determined steps to the microphone, and with quivering voice,
started her little speech (yes, hard to believe, but Sara was always a
bit nervous getting up to do a performance). She grabs "Rembrandt", the
biggest of all her captured rats, but it breaks free and falls to the
floor, where it flops around in stunned convulsions.

>From off-stage, Myhr sees the mass of fur writhing in contortions and
pounces, flying through the air to land on the massive, furry plaything
(or was it lunch?). Content with his prize, Myhr hurriedly snuck
off-stage. Not knowing what was going on behind her, but taken aback by
the audience's sudden outburst of laughter, she bravely went on with her
prepared speech. Finishing her bit, she made a quick exit stage left,
frantically searching for the suddenly AWOL Rembrandt.

Backstage, Sara stormed up to Myhr, demanding the return of Rembrandt,
and with fire in the eyes (uh oh, here it comes...Myhr gets yelled at
again for stealing a contestant's spotlight...), Sara says "Don't EVER
sneak up on a serviceman like that again, you may get an example of
Special Forces training!" With the fear of God firmly planted in his
soul, Myhr then noticed the impish little twinkle in Sara's eyes...we
both cracked up and formed that special bond that two people share when
they've made it through a battle together!

Sara was a marvelously funny writer, had a quirky dry wit, and was always
there if someone needed support. There were numerous layers to this lady,
but I knew her long enough to sample only just a few.

But, to me, she will always be that feisty rat-catcher, who walked
quietly and carried a big rat!

Love you, Sara...will see ya next time our paths cross...

Jamie

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