After a protracted battle with cancer, Sarah Elizabeth Webster-Eastman of Norfolk, Virginia quietly passed away October 29, 2014 at the age of 69. Sarah, also known as Sandy was born on September 8, 1945 in New York City, New York to Clarence Holland Webster and Edna Mae Urquhart Webster.
Sarah is survived by her husband of more than 30 years, Richard Wayne Eastman; her two sons: John Allen Harrell, his wife Nicole and their 2 children, Cherokee and Shae Harrell; Charles Holland Harrell, his wife Suzanne, and their two children; Wiliam and Wesley Harrell; her brother, Bud Webster (his wife Mary Ann Horton); her sister Mary Jane Webster-Dozier (her husband Patrick Dozier); her step daughter Vanessa Poche; and sister-in-law Brenda J. Eastman.
Sarah studied Art at Hollins University in Roanoke, Virginia. She was self-employed, as a graphic designer, certified by the National Council for Interior Design in 1990. Her work on the Goodwill House (1997) received the Critic’s Choice Gold Award for Most Creative Design (Chesapeake, Virginia). Though her career launched as a graphic artist, she was also a respected Silversmith, Artist, and Author, with her last completed literary work being “The Fall of the Veil of Deception”.
Those persons who touched her life knew that her love and passion were for her husband Richard (Rick), her children, Charles and John, and her grandchildren, William, Wesley, Cherokee and Shae.
When diagnosed with breast cancer in 1998, she remained dedicated to her artistic endeavors and her will to fight her illness. During this time she reached out to an international virtual community of persons afflicted by breast cancer. This assemblage of kindred individuals provided her and her husband support, information and strength.
Sarah embraced Eleanor Roosevelt’s belief that “We gain strength and courage and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face……we must do that which we think we cannot.”
Sarah and her family would encourage all that knew her to celebrate her life and the lives she touched. In lieu of flowers, a request is made to consider donating to the organization that provided her with solace, The Breast Cancer List Serve. http://friendsofbclist.org/petebevin.htm
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Thinking of all of you. Much love, Pete Bevin.
Sarah will always be loved and remembered.
Sarah’s memories will live on in all of us. She made a difference in many of our lives!
My memory of Sarah will be of the quiet(-ish) woman in the wheelchair around whom so much activity buzzed. Because she was surrounded by such a bevvy of friends, I didn’t get a chance to get to know her well at the BC List gatherings I attended. But it was obvious to me that she was much beloved by her BC sisters. I am saddened to know that I will never have the chance to get to know her personally, now. But her memory lives on (vividly!) in the lives of those she touched–and that is an impressive number. Rest in peace, dear Sarah.
Dear Rick, and family, and all who know and love Sarah,
Too hard to write in the past tense, because in so many ways, Sarah is still with us, and we still know and love her. Her light will never fade.
Hugs to all who mourn her.
My sincere sympathy for all Sarah’s family and friends. While I never met her in person, I knew her online to be a very, very special person.
To Rick and all of Sarah’s family: I will never forget Sarah. She helped at my handfasting to John at the Boston Tea Party Breast Cancer List get-together. She was a beautiful and sweet woman and we all loved her. My condolences.
I only knew Sarah for a while from reading her entries to the list-serv. What a beautiful caring Sprit. The Universe has gained immeasurable worth with her transition. Many prayers and loving energy as you, her family, and her friends, adjust to the loss of her physical presence.
Sarah was a wonderful & lovely woman, full of life & laughter & great talent in a number of areas. She had dancing, lively eyes & a beautiful face with a great beaming smile. She deeply loved Rick & he reciprocated that deep love. She was a strong presence on the bc list & we were lucky enough to get to know her & Rick. I can still see her giddy schoolgirl face when our committee at the Va Beach gathering presented her with a photo John had doctored to put Sarah’s face over that of the girlfriend of her idol, Andrea Bocelli. She let me read & edit her wonderful book, & I was blown away by her outsize talent at writing when I knew her art ability in graphics & jewelry-making. I was honored to receive a beautiful Sarah creation in the form of a charm bracelet. Sarah will be missed by so many people….
Sincere condolences to all who loved and cherished Sarah. I only ” knew” Sarah online but always enjoyed her wit and compassion for all.
Sending my love and condolences to all who loved Sarah. Although I never had chance to meet Sarah in person, I felt like I knew her well, her sweet and caring nature always present in the emails she sent to the bc list. She will be sadly missed x
Sarah and I met online on the BC list, and we connected shortly thereafter recognizing that we were both working artists, though I had been told I couldn’t paint or draw as a child. Sarah told me that was hogwash and sat me down with paint and some mammogram gowns which we were decorating. Beginning of the end of mistaken childhood belief. We got to share hugs and art many times over the years, and I will miss her a lot. Hugs to Rick, Brenda, and Mary.
Sarah brought love and light into my life. When we met in person it was as if we had always known each other. We shared my “Breathe of life”via my spare new cannula and my oxygen concentrator. It was beautiful, Sarah becoming pink and relaxed and me deep breathing and knowing I had given her a gift only I could give. Something small compared to the love and beauty she gave to me over the few years I knew her. My tears for her are a tribute, my sing for her a farewell anthem. I can give no greater tribute to my friend Sweet Sarah. http://Www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEEf0GwE_uQ This is the only time I have shared this, only Sarah merited that.
To Rick and Family…so very sorry to hear of Sarah’s passing (Nancy has been keeping us in the loop here in NL). Although I did not know her but from what I have heard you have many, many fond memories that will help ease some of the pain over the coming days and months. And it’s very nice to see she has touched so many people. She is at peace and no longer suffering. My thoughts are with you.
Dear Nephew Richard and family,
Barb and I share your sorrow and send our sincere sympathy to you and your family on the loss of your beloved wife, Sarah. We wish we could be with you at this time to comfort and encourage you. We personally, as well as our church family, have been in prayer for you and your family and may the God of all comfort, comfort and strengthen you now and for time to come.
Uncle Johnny and Barb (Eastman)
I ‘met’ Sarah through the BC List but unfortunatley never got to meet her in person, how I wish I could have, she sounds like an incredible person. So, from across the Ocean (I live in Australia) I am sending my sincere condolences and I hope all these messages can be some sort of comfort to her family and friends. xx
I only “knew” Sarah through the BC list but she seemed like such a wonderful soul. I only wish I’d gotten an opportunity to meet her in person. She was clearly loved by many. My condolences to her family, BC-list sisters and friends.
Rich, although I never met Sandy in person I did have contact with her via email, facebook and phone conversations. I never had a doubt that she had your best interests at heart and was working hard to take care of you. From Brenda I know that you were dedicated to her and did all in your power to take care of her. That is the very definition of marriage: to cleave to each other and become one flesh. I know you will miss her and I extend my sincere condolences. If there is any thing I can do for you in the future, just know I am here.