1937-2024
Sarah Frances Marker-Daugherty was born in 1937 in Kansas, and died in Orange County, California. Sarah was laid to rest in her hometown of Alden, Kansas.
Sarah was devoted to her family and was the mother of Sharon and Jamie, her pride and joy. She adored her two grandchildren, Megan and Bryan. Her son, Jamie, preceded her in death. Sarah is survived by her daughter, Sharon; son-in-law, Don; and grandchildren, Megan and Bryan. She is also survived by her daughter-in-law, Stacy; her youngest brother, Jim; her sister-in-law, Elena; and her nephews, Harold Jr. and David, as well as other nieces and nephews on both sides of the family.
Sarah's parents were Opal and James. She was the third child in the family, born after her half-sister, Betty, and her brother, Larry. Sarah had two younger siblings, Patricia and James. According to her mother Opal's notes in Sarah's baby diary, she was a very good baby who rarely cried. She loved dogs and cats as a little girl and admired her big brother Larry, staying close to him throughout her life. She remained a dutiful daughter to her mother and father, especially as her parents became elderly and required help in their later years.
Sarah lived much of her early life in Alden and Winfield, Kansas, and also resided for a short time in Colorado City, Texas. She primarily attended Alden Grammar School. After residing in Kansas and Texas, the family moved to Venice/Santa Monica Beach, CA, and then to Salem, Oregon, where Sarah’s parents owned a local grocery store. Eventually, her family moved to Santa Cruz, CA.
Santa Cruz, CA is where Sarah went to Mission Hills Junior High School and Santa Cruz High School. She was very popular in school; her best friend was Marilyn. Sarah participated in many school organizations and was an advisor to the Rainbow Girls. Sarah and her younger sister, Pat, regularly attended school dances. She enjoyed the recreation of living in a seaside community, often diving off the Santa Cruz Pier, swimming in the ocean, going to the beach, and visiting the Santa Cruz Boardwalk. In the summer, she worked at the boardwalk and always enjoyed riding the iconic wooden roller coaster, when possible, at the end of her work shift. She was an usherette at the Del Mar Theatre and also worked as a waitress. In her last year of high school in Santa Cruz, she met her husband, Ken.
Sarah married Ken in 1954 in Nevada. Initially residing in Salinas, they later moved to Santa Cruz, where they both attended Hartnell College. The young couple eventually settled in Los Angeles, CA, where Sarah spent most of her married life raising their children. After 24 years of marriage, Sarah's marriage ended in her mid-40s. She began working as a grocery cashier and later moved to north Orange County, CA, to live near her brother, Larry, and his wife, Rosaria. Eventually, she retired in south Orange County, CA, to live near her daughter, Sharon. Her relationships with Sharon, Larry, and Rosaria brought her stability, support, and love, especially in the later part of her life. Sarah cherished and enjoyed family gatherings and holiday celebrations, particularly at her brother Larry’s home.
Sarah was a blend of sweetness and spice, blessed with an array of unique talents. Her mastery of geometry enabled her to wrap Christmas gifts with stunning precision. In her youth, she was a gifted athlete, earning varsity letters in high school and shining as a ballroom dancer. Her passion for staying active never waned, as she enjoyed bowling, softball, volleyball, tennis, swimming, dancing, and, as she grew older, was very active in a bocce ball social club.
Sarah meticulously kept records, including family photos and history, with a passion for documenting everything around her—she could have been an archivist. Progressive in her thinking and values, she encouraged her children, especially her daughter, to pursue financial independence and a professional career. With a vibrant and strong personality, Sarah was vocal about her opinions, often energizing conversations and family gatherings. She embodied mid-western values, worked hard, and held strong principles. Sarah taught her children right from wrong, helped others, and was generous in spirit.
In her adult life, Sarah suffered from depression, anxiety, and a fear of abandonment—conditions that, unfortunately, impacted her relationships. She deeply cared about others and her family, even though her love for them was not always apparent due to behaviors influenced by these complex and difficult-to-treat illnesses.
Sarah's farewell was a long and arduous journey due to Alzheimer's Disease. It took a village to care for her, and had she been aware, she would have been grateful to her nephew, John, and the countless others who cared for her in the assisted living home as the disease progressed. Even in her final days, she recognized her daughter, Sharon, although she rarely spoke but always insisted on eating only mac-and-cheese and drinking Pepsi. Throughout her last years, she was blessed with the unwavering devotion of her daughter, Sharon, and her dedicated caregiver, Hilda. Sarah's cousins, Forrest and Glenda, provided her with comfort and familial love by visiting her during the last year of her life. Glenda had the honor of holding Sarah's hand as she peacefully transitioned and returned to her maker, God.
Sarah's legacy will live on through her family and many cherished memories. She requested a private family ceremony with no flowers and was laid to rest at the Alden Valley Cemetery on what would have been her 88th birthday. To honor Sarah’s life, donations are requested to the Heart, Cancer, Alzheimer or NIMH organizations and would be greatly appreciated by the family.
There are additional pictures of Sarah and her family posted to Birzer’s funeral Home’s website:
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