Sara Friesen

August 28, 1942 - December 2, 2024

With sadness we announce the sudden passing of Sara Friesen on December 2, 2024, her husband by her side.

Sara-Jane was born in Iowa City to Paul and Kathryn Snyder. She spent her childhood in Kalona, IA and attended college in Hesston, KS and Goshen, IND, graduating in 1963 with a Bachelor's of Elementary Education. At Goshen, Sara fell in love with a Canadian student, George Friesen, whom she married July 9, 1965, after a year in Kansas teaching fifth grade. They moved to Yarrow, BC where Sara did secretarial work, and then to Surrey, Chilliwack, and Sardis, raising three children.

Sara's creative gifts were woven into the life of her family. She played piano, shared her lovely soprano voice in many choirs, and instilled an enduring love of books and music in her children. Her many interests included gardening, antiques, small birds, journaling, Christmas traditions, letter-writing, and CBC radio. She supported George on cycling trips and traveled with him nationally and internationally to visit family. Along with providing childcare in her home, Sara's community contributions over the years included volunteering at local schools, Sardis Doorway, the MCC thrift store, and the Chilliwack Health Unit's vaccination clinics. She and George were devoted participants in the life of Sardis Community Church. With an active, practical Christian faith, Sara was a dedicated prayer partner for many, especially her children and grandchildren. She will be remembered as a warm, talkative, goodhearted woman.

Predeceased by her older siblings, Barbara, Bob, and Jim, Sara is mourned by her husband, George, daughter Jennifer (Gary), son Chris (Louise), son Matthew (Negar), and eleven grandchildren. A sincere thank-you to the staff at Cascades Lodge for their care of Mom over the past four years and to her fellow residents for their friendship. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Sardis Doorway for Mothers & Children Society. Sara's Celebration of Life will be held February 8, 2025, 2 pm, at Sardis Community Church, Chilliwack.