Sarah Kathleen Lanfear Obituary (2024)

Sarah Kathleen Lanfear, 74, died Tuesday, February 20, 2024 at Cottage in the Meadow Hospice in Yakima, WA. Sarah was born on September 28, 1949 to Helen and Bert Lanfear. Sarah was sweet, kind, and compassionate. She cared for family members throughout her life and centered her professional career on helping others. Sarah graduated from Selah High School in 1968. She went on to earn a bachelor's in teaching from Central Washington University and served as a creative and engaging early childhood educator and substitute teacher in Yakima public schools. It was a time when permanent teaching positions were scarce, and Sarah returned to school to study nursing. She earned her nursing certification from Yakima Valley Community College in 1982. She had a long tenure at Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital -- serving as a candy striper while in nursing school and retiring as a registered nurse. After retirement, Sarah continued to enjoy her family, her much adored cats, beading and jewelry making, and the company and companionship of her communities at Orchard Park and most recently Rexford Manor. Sarah was a much loved daughter, granddaughter, sister, aunt, great aunt and friend. She will be remembered for her quiet kindness, positive outlook, playful sense of humor, and amazing super-aunt powers that included swimming pool whirlpools, back-fender bike rides, birthday party spectaculars and travel adventures. Sarah was preceded in death by her parents, Helen (Marshall) and Herbert "Bert" Lanfear, and her brother Jon Lanfear. Sarah is survived by her sister, Judi (Lanfear) Hemenway, niece Marilee (Ward) Rehfield (Dan), niece Amy Ward, niece Rochelle Lanfear, nephew Geoffrey Lanfear and eight much-loved great nieces and great nephews. A gathering to remember Sarah will be held on Friday, April 26 at 2pm at the Englewood Christian Church Fellowship Hall located at 511 N 44th Avenue, Yakima, WA. Family would love to hear your favorite memories of Sarah. Memories, photos and notes may be shared at the gathering and may also be shared at www.shawandsons.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Yakima Valley Pet Rescue and Adoption Center at YVPR.org or you can mail a check to Yakima Valley Pet Rescue, P.O. Box 944, Yakima WA 98907. SERVICES Celebration of Life Friday, April 26, 2024 2:00 PM Englewood Christian Church 511 N 44th Ave Yakima, WA 98908