Sara Atkin

Sara Matteson Atkin left this life on May 26th, 2025, at her home in Ivins, Utah, at the age of 100. She is survived by her children: Joe (Evie) Atkin - St. George, UT; Mary (Steve) Curtis - Ivins, UT; Bill (Carrie) Atkin - Boulder City, NV; as well as her step daughters: Rosemary Burtch - Albuquerque, NM, and Virginia Atkin. She is also survived by eight grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren. 

Sara was born on December 27, 1924, in Artesia, New Mexico, to Edward Peyton Matteson and Fern Minnetta Dugan. Her early years were shaped by the Great Depression, marked by frequent moves across New Mexico, Texas, California, and her beloved Arizona as her family pursued opportunities to make ends meet.

In 1943, Sara enrolled at Woodbury College to study clothing design. By 1945, she had returned to Phoenix and was hired by Salt River Power as an IBM punch key operator. Shortly after, while renting a room with her friend Jayne, she met the man who would change her life-Wes Atkin.

"In August two men moved into the vacant room across from us. Mrs. Hennessy told us they had come to Phoenix from Barstow, California, to start a flight operation between Phoenix and Glendale. The tall one played an accordion and wore suspenders, both of which I found totally gross......... Little did I suspect this man would become my best friend forever."

Sara would marry Wesley H. Atkin on June 6th 1947. Wes was the love of her life. They enjoyed their time together deer hunting, fishing, dinner dates to Mesquite, and ranching in Motoqua. They were married for 62 years until Wes passed away in 2008.

During the 1960s, seeing a need in the community, Sara launched Atkin Draperies, creating custom drapes for homes throughout Washington County. She retired in 1986, passing the business on to her son Joe and daughter-in-law Evie.

Sara had moments in her life as a silversmith, a dress designer, a creative, President of the Northwest Hospital Auxiliary, YMCA instructor, a writer, a business owner and one hell of an organizer. In 1993, she led a massive quilting project to help victims of the Midwest floods. She spearheaded the first skatepark in St. George, helped raise funds for the Humane Society of Utah, the Doctors' Free Clinic and did a few talks for the Washington County Historical Society - among many other contributions. For someone who often joked she "never should have left Arizona", Sara certainly left a lasting legacy in the Southern Utah community.

Near the end of Sara's memoir, she wrote: 

"I've finally figured out who I am and why I am. I came out of the mayhem of youth with a strong moral fiber and work ethic. Now I need to tell the story of where my life has taken me. Some will be good, some will be equally bad. Life is of one's own making; it can be both comedy and tragedy. I hope mine will be an interesting mixture of both, for over the years I've laughed and cried a lot."

 If you would like to read a copy of Sara's book, you can find it here: Sara's Book.pdf 

Sara's final resting place will be beside her husband at Ivin's Cemetery.

Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff St., St. George, Utah. 435-673-2454.

Family and friends are invited to sign Sara's online guest book at www.spilsburymortuary.com