| TRIBUTE |
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| Sara Hamblin |
| 1954-2006 |
| Sara Hamblin was born on October 15, 1954 in Kanab, Utah to Walter LeGrand (Huck) and Wilda (Billie) Hamblin and she died at her home in Taylorsville on February 21, 2006. Sara's was an interesting and happy life. She could be quiet, but she always managed to add to the conversation and to make people laugh.. Sara also put her humor and experiences into newspaper columns in high school and later for two women's publications in Salt Lake. During her years in Kanab, Sara had many friends. Some of her favorite times were when she was dragging Main or going for long drives with classmates and friends. A talented musician, she played piano, organ and saxophone in school, at church and in the community. In her teen years she sometimes played in a band at a bar in Fredonia and she got a kick out of the fact that some of the same people who were at the bar on Saturday night would also be at the local (Mormon) church on Sunday morning. After high school, Sara dabbled in education at USU in Logan and at the 'trade tech' in Orem, but mostly she had a full life and lots of fun with her friends. In 1977 she moved to Salt Lake City and got a position at USF&G insurance, where she worked for the next 17 years. Sara enjoyed the job and her coworkers, some of whom became lifelong friends. Near the end of her time at USF&G, Sara discovered that the reason she had never found the right man was because she should have been looking for the right woman. She'd had several special friendships with women, but it wasn't until about 1990 that she finally figured out what that meant. In 1992 Sara started getting out in Salt Lake's gay community and she found Kathy Worthington, with whom she would spend nearly 14 years. Together they lived a life that was rewarding and exciting in ways that Sara had never imagined. They had adventures that included a music festival, two marches in Washington, D.C., and similar events in New York and San Francisco. They spent many hours volunteering for a variety of organizations and activities. They worked on a few political campaigns and enjoyed election night parties with the Democrats. For several years they published the "Womyn's Community News" and they wrote a column for the WCN called "Never a Dull Moment". Later they got involved in Salt Lake's exmormon community. Along the way they made many friends. Sara traveled widely, visiting fourteen countries and most of the U.S. She went on a cruise to the southern Carribbean and made trips to Mexico and Europe. She went for a hot air balloon ride in Park City and a helicopter ride in Panama, over the canal, the jungle, a river and the coast. Long drives in a convertible through France or Italy were pure joy. Even after three trips to Mexico and two to Italy, Sara still dreamed of returning. Sara and Kathy were in the news in Utah multiple times over the years. In April of 1993, for instance, they went to a huge march in Washington and they participated in a union ceremony and reception while they were there. Sara came 'out' to her family and coworkers by being in the news for the first time in stories about those events in Washington. In 2003 the couple got married in Canada. They dreamed of having their wedding legally recognized in the U.S., but Sara didn't live long enough to see that happen. When USF&G downsized in Salt Lake, Sara worked at Unibase and at the Remote Encoding Center, a postal facility in Salt Lake. It was during that period that she was first diagnosed with breast cancer. Sara had learned a love of cars and of driving from her beloved father. She was unable to work for much of 1997, but in 1998 she got a job as a bus operator at UTA and she discovered that it was the kind of work she should have been doing all her life. She loved being out and about on the roads and she loved being behind the wheel of a UTA bus. To the folks at UTA, Sara sends a message, "It was a great ride." |
| Sara touched many people's lives in her 51 years, including many she met and got to know after her diagnosis with breast cancer. In 1996 the disease spread, and Sara spent the next nine and a half years putting off the inevitable. She had help from many people, including the wonderful people at Utah Cancer Specialists. She also got help and support from an email group at bcmets.org, which was an important resource over the years. Even while moving from one treatment to another, though, Sara was able to lead a full and rewarding life. Sara loved cats and had many of them in her life, including one named Chiffy who died last September. She had plans to meet up with them all in the after life. Sara is survived by her partner Kathy, her step daughters Rita Lucia and Sonia Cristina Juarez, her sister Sherrie and brothers Walt (Connie) and Robert. She was preceded in death by her mother and father. Renae and Chyrl are two friends who were like sisters to Sara. Kay Jean was a dear friend from Sara's Kanab and college days. Sara was thrilled to see Mike G. just when it seemed she would never see him again. Dianna and Jude know what good friends they have been, as do Annette and Kathy and Mandy, Misty and Margie. Many other friends and family were all remembered fondly by Sara. Our appreciation to the many people; coworkers, friends and relatives, who let her know that you cared about her. Thanks to those of you who took the time to visit her during her final weeks. She really enjoyed learning that she'd had an impact on so many lives. A special thank-you to Karen Heath of the Remote Encoding Center, who knows why she deserves our appreciation. Sara wanted a simple cremation and there were some small, very private memorials. Her ashes will be scattered in some of the places that she loved so much. |
| Sara in January 2003 |
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