Sarah L. Walsh (Williamson)

Sarah Walsh, 90, of Overland Park, KS, formerly of Sun City, AZ, died peacefully at Brookdale Skilled Nursing on Sep. 9, 2020. Sarah was born in Moline, IL, the second of two children born to Errol and Ada Williamson. She attended Graceland College in Lamoni, IA for two years and then completed her Bachelor of Science in Home Economics from Iowa State University.
She worked at Hallmark Cards in Kansas City as an artist and then moved west to complete a Master of Education from UCLA. While living in Los Angeles, Sarah met her husband-to-be, Jim. The two married in 1956 and lived in San Luis Obispo, CA where she taught college courses in home economics until having children. After the birth of their first son, Charlie, Sarah and Jim moved to Wisconsin and had two more children, a daughter, Jennifer, and a son, Andrew. The family lived in Cedarburg, WI, Burlington, Ontario, Canada, and Aurora, IL until Jim’s retirement in 1987. While living in Aurora, Sarah returned to teaching as a preschool teacher and later as preschool director for the Fox River Valley parks department.
Upon retirement, Sarah and Jim relocated to Washington and later settled in Sun City, AZ. Together, they enjoyed traveling to visit their children in the Midwest and New England as well as Jim's family in England and exploring other areas of the country and overseas.
A devoted wife and mother, her greatest joy was her family. Sarah’s friends enjoyed her playful spirit and kind heart. During her time in the Chicago area, Sarah became an avid Cubs fan. Over the years, her love of baseball and enthusiasm for the Cubbies grew.
Sarah was a lifelong member of the Community of Christ Church, serving on hospitality fellowship committees and women’s groups, and teaching Sunday School, from the Midwest to Washington and Arizona. She was proud to have followed her parents’ footsteps to Graceland College and delighted when two of her children also attended.
She is survived by her three children, Charles (Kristin), Jennifer (Marty) and Andrew (Anna) and four grandchildren, Isaac, Poppy, Ezra and Evonne. She was preceded in death by her infant daughter, Elizabeth; husband, Jim; and brother, Derry. A memorial service date is to be determined. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested for the Community of Christ Church, Glendale, Ariz., or American Lung Association.

A graveside service will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Monday, September 14, at Mound Grove Cemetery. Online condolences and memories may be left for the family at www.speakschapel.com (Arrangements: Carson-Speaks Chapel 816-252-7900)