Sara L. Garvin

CHATHAM, — Sara L. Garvin, longtime Cape visitor and recent resident, died Feb. 4, 2010 at McCarthy Care Center in Sandwich. Her lifelong love of the Cape began at an early age at family homes near Pleasant Bay and on Oceanport Lane, near Hardings Beach. She and her husband Richard moved to a home they built on Emery Pond in 2009. She endured a five-year battle with ovarian cancer, which she navigated with dignity and grace. Although a difficult path, her spirit and courage never waivered, allowing her to live life to the fullest.

She was born Sara Lynn Nickel on March 4, 1947, in Brattleboro, Vt. to Oscar and Hilda Nickel. Known as Sally to her family and friends, she married Richard Garvin in Haworth, N.J., on June 17, 1972, and devoted her life to raising her family, nourishing her friends with love, and giving generously of herself in her professions in education and counseling. She was a 1965 graduate of Northern Valley Regional High School in Demarest, N.J. She was awarded a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education by Bethany College, Bethany, West Virginia, in 1969 and a Master of Arts in Counseling and Personal Services at Trenton State College, Ewing, N.J. in 1993.

The family lived for many years in Moorestown, New Jersey. Sally was an elementary school teacher in Pemberton Township and Mount Laurel and was a guidance counselor in schools at McGuire Air Force Base and schools in Haddonfield, and Mount Holly. She was a member of the American School Counselors' Association, the New Jersey Counselors' Association, and was President of the Burlington County School Counselors' Association. She was voted School Counselor of the Year for Burlington County, N.J. by her peers.

Sally will be remembered for her compassion for others and love of life. She was devoted to her friends and family and never missed an opportunity to laugh, love and dance! She brought a "shine" to our lives that will forever be missed. Sally had a remarkable way of connecting with others and bringing out the best in them. Through her love and kindness, her spirit will live in us forever.

She is survived by her husband Richard and their children Jennifer Garvin, of Boston, and Scott Garvin, of Falmouth, as well as her extended family; mother-in-law, Emma Garvin; brother and sister-in-law, Joanne and Tom Bove; brother-in-law, Michael Fara and nephew, Christopher Fara; and nephew and niece, Jonathan and Janine Moretti. She was predeceased by her beloved sister, Leslie Fara.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff of the McCarthy Care Center of Sandwich, an acute care center of the Hospice & Palliative Care of Cape Cod.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund http://www.ocrf.org/ or the Hospice & Palliative Care of Cape Cod http://www.hospicecapecod.org.

A celebration of Sally's life will be held at First Congregational Church, Chatham, at 1 p.m. on Sat., Feb 13. Another celebration of her life will be held in Moorestown, N.J., at a date to be determined.

Nickerson Funeral Home

508-255-0259