In Memory
Sarah Thorn, 25
Sarah ‘Saree' Langner Thorn, 25, of Girdwood, AK, died Thursday, June 18, 2009 of a hemorrhagic stroke while hiking on the Devil's Creek Trail in the Kenai Mountains, AK. She is survived by her parents, Diane Scoffield Thorn and Stephen Ford Thorn; her beloved companion of four years, Gerrit J. Van Schaick; her sister, Marie Shanti Ruth Thorn; her brother-in-law, David B. Williams; her maternal grandfather and his wife, James and Karen Scoffield, and 64 aunts, uncles and cousins.
Sarah was born July 16th, 1983, and raised in the foothills of Whatcom County near Sumas, WA. She attended Mt. Baker High School in Deming, WA where she enjoyed choir and drama. She obtained a bachelor's degree in Women's Studies at Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA. Sarah was remembered by professors to be a thoughtful, talented student whose writings and reflections on social justice far surpassed the norm.
As a student, Sarah volunteered at a free children's lunch center in Santo Tomás, Nicaragua, under the auspices of the Thurston-Santo Tomas Sister County Association. ‘Sarita,' as everyone called her, developed rich ties with the community there. Her host family wrote: “We shared only a few short months with Sarah, but she filled our lives with beautiful memories that we have held and will always hold in our hearts.”
In 2005, Sarah joined the Jazz and Heritage Foundation construction “krewe” in New Orleans. To honor Sarah, her former “krewe” mates are planning a gospel tribute during Jazz Fest 2010.
In 2006, Sarah moved to Girdwood, AK, where she found happiness in playing, working, and sharing innumerable meals with Gerrit, friends, and family. Sarah had been accepted into the University of Alaska nursing program, which she was planning to start in fall 2010.
Sarah, with the certain gait of an old soul, lived life to its fullest with a calm and deliberate style and candid sense of humor that endeared her deeply to her beloved family and friends. Her nonjudgemental kindness was impressionable to those who met her in passing, and her unique ability to communicate love, while expressing an unwavering commitment to justice, inspired all who knew her well.
Sarah's family and friends feel a hole in their hearts that will never be filled, but are blessed to have had the gift of Sarah's presence, laughter, and example in their lives.
In an effort to perpetuate Sarah's commitment to social justice, Gerrit and her family are directing contributions to:
St. Thomas Community Health Center
1020 St. Andrew Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 529-5558
Thurston-Santo Tomas Sister County Association (TSTSCA)
PO Box 561
Olympia WA 98507
(360) 943-8642
