Sarah Elizabeth Strauss Colony

1949 - 2024

Strauss Colony, Sarah Elizabeth

August 18, 1949 - December 22, 2024

Colony, Sarah Elizabeth Strauss. It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Sarah Elizabeth Strauss Colony of Webster Groves, Missouri, who passed away at age 75 on Sunday, December 22, 2024, leaving a void her family and friends cannot fill.

She was the beloved wife of 45 years to Cindy Fulton of Webster Groves; sister to David Strauss Colony of Ozark, Missouri (deceased); Julia Strauss Colony Heins (Fred) of Boulder, Colorado; Sandra Colony Huck (Stan) of Ozark, Missouri; James Colony (Jeanie) of Harvard, Massachusetts; Bruce Colony (Jill) of Springfield, Missouri; and Sue Castile of Wichita, Kansas (deceased). She was also dearly loved by thirteen nieces and nephews, eleven great-nieces and nephews, as well as seven remaining cousins.

Sarah was born in Rapid City, South Dakota on August 18, 1949, to Mary "Susan" Barker and George C. Strauss (both deceased). Her father died when Sarah was two years old resulting in her mother and two siblings, David and Julie, moving to Jefferson, Iowa to live with her grandmother. Two years later, Susan married Frank Austin Colony (deceased) who later accepted guardianship of Sarah and her two Strauss siblings. The family moved to Des Moines, Iowa, adding two more siblings, where they lived until Sarah was twelve years old. The family then settled in Webster Groves, where her fifth sibling was welcomed and where Sarah lived her remaining years.

She attended Webster Groves High School, Central Methodist College, and later attained two master's degrees at Webster and Washington Universities. Her career included working for many years at Epworth Children's Home in Webster Groves, then at Provident Counseling in Belleville, Illinois. Her last years before retirement were spent in private practice as a therapist in Belleville specializing in working with divorcing families and their children. Her love and devotion to children of all ages was always evident, earning her the title "kid magnet."

Sarah attended Webster Hills United Methodist Church and had numerous leadership roles in the church as well as membership in the choir. She was also a member and past president of PEO Chapter ID in Webster Groves. She embraced life with joy and humor, finding happiness in her love of family and friends, singing and playing the piano and guitar, traveling, cooking, playing with numerous cats and one dog, gardening, and playing golf, basketball and softball.

Although Sarah's health declined over the past several years, her sense of humor, kindness, thoughtfulness, and bravery were always evident, and her positive attitude and perspective always encouraged others to take life a little easier. She brought such joy and light to everyone around her. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

A celebration of life will be planned for a later date. Please consider donating in Sarah's memory to Webster Hills UMC, 698 W. Lockwood, St. Louis, Missouri 63119, or to the PEO Sisterhood at PEO Executive Office, Treasurer's Dept, 3700 Grand Ave., Des Moines, Iowa 50312. (Please note Sarah's name, "Chapter ID" and "To the Foundation").