Sara E. Achenbach Balcomb, age 90, of Stevensville, Pa., passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday morning, Aug. 22, 2015.
She was born on May 29, 1925 in Schuylkill Haven, Pa., the daughter of the late George and Tillie Butz Achenbach.
Sara was a graduate of Forty Fort High School with the class of 1943 and attained a BS degree in Home-Economics Education from Penn State University in 1946.
Sara married her high school sweetheart, Dean Balcomb, and began her teaching career in Camptown, Pa. until she began raising her daughters. She returned to teaching at Wyalusing Valley High School then retiring in June of 1987.
She was a member and Past Worthy Matron of the LeRaysville Order of the Eastern Star Chapter 498, a member of the Stevensville Birthday Club, and a member of the Beaver Meadows United Methodist Church. She spent many happy retirement years playing her saxophone in Deano's Band for local nursing homes and civic groups.
Sara is survived by her daughters Sheryl Balcomb of Stevensville, Pa., and Louise Wert and her husband Andy of Mifflintown, Pa.; several nieces and nephews and a cousin; as well as her loving dog and cats. She leaves four very special caregivers Sheila McGavin, Debbie Borden, Ashley McGavin, and Maureen Kelly. Besides her parents she was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years H. Dean Balcomb on September 27, 2014 and sister-in-law and brother-in-law Harriet and Bill Christmas.
Funeral services are private and under the direction of Sheldon Funeral Homes, 155 Church St., Wyalusing, Pa. Online condolences may be made at www.sheldonfuneralhomes.com.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be directed to The Wyalusing Museum Assoc., P.O. Box 301, Wyalusing, PA 18853 or The Bradford County Humane Society, RT220, P.O. Box 179, Ulster, PA 18850.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
August 30, 2015
Merna (Kipp)/ Howard/ Douglas Mapes / Colwell
Our thoughts & prayers are with you. May God bless & sustain you & grant you strength, peace, grace, hope, courage,serenity & a strong faith. One "glorious day" in God's timing we shall all meet on that "Golden Shore" where Sara has been reunited with Dean & other loved ones gone before her, what a "Reunion"!! Sara will certainly be missed by all who knew her, but we know that we shall meet again one day. She is your "Guardian Angel" watching over you!! Matthew 10:30 says that every hair on our heads are numbered & Ecclesiastes 3 says that there is a time & a place & a reason & a season for everything under the Heavens & God is in control. The verse also states that there is a time to be born & a time to die & our names are written in God's book as it is always His timing. The spirit is eternal & Sara's spirit will forever be with her loved ones in every bright, shining star & in every beautiful, colorful rainbow & in the moon & the sun & the clouds. Just look up as she is watching over you!!
Sara was a wonderful lady, always wearing a smile & with the patience of a saint. She was my Home-Ec teacher & always understood. She was a very dear lady!!
God bless, comfort & cherish you with all your precious memories to hold near & dear to your hearts!! We send our love!!
August 30, 2015
patty merritt strawser
she was the best home ec teacher ever i learned so much from her and thought of her many many times my prayers foer alll her family.
August 27, 2015
Scott Matthews
Sara or Baco as we called her as kids was a special friend to me and my family. When I heard that she had passed I just sat and remembered her and the times we spent together. Growing up next door she became almost a second mom to me. Time had no impact on our relationship she was always loving and so happy to see me. I will miss her and coming to Stevensville will not be the same but my fond memories will never fade. I am equally sad for Cheryl Beth and Louise having lost both Dean and Sara in such a short period of time. But I am sure that they as well as I will find comfort knowing that she is back together with Dean and will be eternally loved. My thoughts and prayers are with Cheryl, Louise and Andy and just know that my heart is broken too. She will be missed!
August 25, 2015
Keith Bonin
This is sad news to hear. Wonderful woman. God Bless and thanks to all the service this family has provided thru the years.
August 24, 2015
Barbara Secor
Louise and Sheryl Beth So sorry to hear of your Mother's passing. She was a good friend during my teaching career God bless you and your family.
August 24, 2015
Ruth
May Almighty God sustain you thru this difficult time. Psalms 83:18. Sincere condolences.
August 24, 2015
Marilyn Underhill
Sara was the sweetest and kindest person who always had a smile and truly brightened everyone's day. I remember when you girls were little that she beautifully sewed matching dresses for both of you and herself. She was a special blessing to me and my family for over 60 years. Special thoughts and prayers to you.
August 24, 2015
Kevin & Helen Ferris
Your mom was such a wonderful person. I can still remember her beautiful smile and her laugh. So sorry for your loss and holding in our thoughts and prayers.
August 24, 2015
Chuck Bullock
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
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Funeral services provided by:
Sheldon Funeral Home - Wyalusing155 Church St. PO Box 370, Wyalusing, PA 18853
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