Sara Parlow (née Beers)

Sara Parlow (née Beers) of Harbor Springs, Michigan, passed away peacefully and floated on her angel wings into God’s loving embrace on February 22, 2018, following a graceful and courageous battle with ovarian cancer. Sara worked to build God’s Kingdom by teaching children, building churches, helping feed the hungry, and being a friend to all.

Born Sally Jane Beers in Albion, Michigan, to Rev. Birt and Helen Beers, Sara spent her early years as a “PK” (preacher’s kid), teaching her dolls and listening to the Detroit Tigers. Summers were spent at the family cottage on Lake Louise outside Boyne Falls. Sara was a 1980 graduate of Montague High School and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Alma College and a Master’s degree in Education from Western Michigan University. She followed her dream to teach young children, spending 26 years educating first graders at Dix Street Elementary School in Otsego.

Sara met her future husband, Jon Parlow, at Alma College; they married in 1987 at Tenant Chapel on the grounds of Lake Louise United Methodist Community. The couple first lived in Wayland and later Byron Center. After Sara retired from teaching, they spent five years in Toronto, Canada, finally moving full time to their summer home in Harbor Springs two years ago.

Sara’s greatest passions were her faith, her home, helping others, sports, and reading. She loved and was so proud of all her students and enjoyed working with her colleagues at Dix Street. Sara derived immense satisfaction from mentoring and encouraging young girls to get involved in exercise and running in the “Girls on the Run” program. As part of the program, she helped girls gain confidence, set and achieve goals, and complete their first 5K run — crossing the finish on the 50-yard line of Waldo Stadium in Kalamazoo.

Dedicated to her own workouts, Sara was also an ardent sports fan, attending, watching, and listening to games particularly those of her Tigers (Ernie) and Pistons (George). She loved to explore new destinations, especially if there was a beach, antique shop, art gallery, or museum nearby. She had her own wonderful sense of style, and enjoyed remodeling and decorating her homes, planning and searching for just the right paper, paint, furniture, and accessories. Sara always loved time at any library and was an avid reader with numerous book groups and reading lists.

In addition to her teaching, Sara was an active volunteer, serving in roles with her churches, the Red Cross, and many other organizations. She was a strong advocate in fighting hunger, and spent several days a week working with The Manna Food Project and Harbor Springs food pantries.

Sara is survived by her husband of 30 years, Jon, of Harbor Springs; her mother, Helen Beers, and stepfather, Greg Preston, of Grand Haven; her sister, Lori (Steve) Gillespie, of Downingtown, PA; aunts Diane Beers of Nicholasville, KY, and Bonnie Partridge of Huntington Beach, CA; mother-in-law, Carol Parlow of Jenison; brother-in-law, Pete (Katie) Parlow of St. Clair; sister-in-law Heidi (George) Pamerleau of Jenison; and nieces and nephews Turner, Troy, Vielka, Sonia, Nate, Noah, Erin and Olivia as well as numerous cousins. She will be greatly missed by her many friends and the countless others whose lives she touched with her smiles, hugs, notes, and kind words of understanding.

Sara was predeceased by her father, Rev. Birt Beers; her father-in-law, Pastor Paul Parlow; uncles Rev. Alva Beers of Nicholasville, KY; Gary Partridge of Borrego Springs, CA; and Bill and Maxine Gebbie of San Marino, CA.

Arrangements are being handled by Toale Brothers Funeral Home of Sarasota, FL.

A celebration of Sara’s life is being planned for a later date back in Michigan.

In lieu of flowers, memorials gifts of time, talent, or resources are suggested to: The Manna Food Project, 8791 McBride Park Dr., Harbor Springs, MI 49740 or your local food pantry. Children can’t learn if they’re hungry.