Saramae Williams Landers

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Saramae Landers Obituary

Saramae Williams Landers
1906 - 2014
Saramae Williams Landers died in her home in Pahoa, Hawaii February 9, 2014 at the age of 107, reportedly the oldest person on the Island of Hawaii. She was born on April 4, 1906 in Samaria, Idaho to the family of Lewis and Sarah Williams.
Among her survivors are her daughter Sara Landers Burgess and grandson Alexander Burgess of Pahoa; her son Lewis Floyd (Cheryl) Landers of Issaquah, Wash.; Esther Henderlider of Boise, Idaho, sister of her husband, the late Floyd Landers; and her niece Thora Mae Qaddumi of Houston, Texas.
Her survivors include four grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, five grand nephews and six grand nieces. She maintained close contact with her many relatives in Boise, including the children of her brothers Lewis Williams and Joe R. Williams.
She graduated from Boise High School, Albian Normal School, the University of Idaho, and Washington State University. She was a teacher and administrator in schools in Hawaii, Idaho and Washington State.
In recent years, while living in Hawaii, she was named "Outstanding Senior Citizen" and received special commendations from the Hawaii State Legislature, the Mayor of Hawaii Island and President Obama. She was active in numerous organizations, including the United Nations Association, Democratic Party, Pahoa Community Medical Association, the Volcano Art Gallery, the Hawaii Retired Teachers Association and the Pahoa Senior Citizens Club.
Two events honoring her life were held at the historic Palace Theatre in Hilo, Hawaii. April 4, 2013 was designated "Saramae Landers Day" by both the Mayor of Hawaii Island and the Governor of the State of Hawaii.
She traveled the world, visiting every continent, and concluded that "We all laugh and cry in the same language."

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Idaho Statesman on Feb. 27, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for Saramae Landers

2 Entries

107 birthday in Kauai

cristy landers

March 11, 2014

When I was driving with my Grandmother I asked her, Grandma you know when people say “If I knew then what I know now” what would you say?
She answered ..Well I don't like to give advice, but I guess I would say I wouldn't worry so much about what people said about me, I wasted too much time on that…and I would have learned to play golf.
I laughed a bit at the second one…but she said she thought about it and thought it would be something she might have enjoyed. And could do for a long time. Mostly the walking part in the nice surroundings outside.
She did love to walk and did it everyday she could.

She made me want to be more of a “Lady” good posture and good manners where important to her . I remember her teaching me how to set a table…correctly..
My Grandmother always made me feel special, and beautiful.
She believed in me and was always there to help further any educational things I was interested in. Even if it was piano lessens…or modeling school.

When my son Cameron turned 5 she gave him a Belly Dance, ( one of the many classes she took at the “Vo Tech.“ across the street. She was in a beautiful out fit with the bells and long finger nails! He loved it. Then she changed and taught him the hula..(like she taught me)..and we all just danced in the living room. He at that time was almost as tall as her and started calling her “Little Grandma”
I named my daughter Saralynn after her and my other Grandmother Evelyn. And when I brought her over she would put her hair in ringlets. Saralynn would sit still for Grandma…not for me…
We were so lucky to live close by then and got to visit often. I am so glad my kids got to know her.

What I love about her the most is that she didn't seem to judge anyone and was always smiling and had the most generous heart.
I hope to have inherited some of that from her…
Everyone that met her was impressed, not only for living such a long life…but for making you feel so welcome pull up a chair and have a chat.
On one of her visits here to Portland we took her to Karaoke. It was for her 105th birthday.
She was an instant celebrity and yes she did sing, “We have no bananas “…and did dance as well.
We all had a wonderful time and everyone wanted to talk to her from big biker guys, to beautiful young ladies. She smiled and treated everyone like family.
I am so grateful to my Aunt Sarah for bringing her for those visits,
I will miss her very much.
Cristy Landers

Kristin (Williams) King

March 5, 2014

Aunt Saramae was sush an inspiration to me. She never slowed down and was always interested in learning new things and going new places. I think the earliest picture I have of myself is a picture of her holding me as a baby. She always sent me birthday cards and then she sent them to my children, all three of them for many years. She was more interested in the people about her than she was worried about herself making her so very endearing to all who met her. We were lucky to have her in our lives and even luckier to have her as a relative. Much thanks to Sally (Sara) for taking such good care of her.

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