Sara Jane Thatcher

Sara Jane (Cook) Thatcher, 75, wife of John Gardener Thatcher, Jr, of Clark Road, Ipswich, died December 24, 2012 following her brief illness. Born in Melrose December 2, 1937, she was the only child of the late Charles W. and Marjorie J. (Rowe) Cook. Raised in Wakefield she was a graduate of Brimmer and May School in Boston. Married on October 6, 1984 in the First Parish Congregational Church in Wakefield, the Thatchers made their home in Ipswich. Mrs. Thatcher was the owner and operator of the Arnold House Nursing Home in Stoneham, which had been founded by her mother in 1949. She was a member of the Stoneham Chamber of Commerce for over thirty years. She faithfully kept her Thursday appointment to have her hair and nails done, enjoyed boating, reading, playing the piano and spending time with her family. In addition, to her husband of twenty-eight years, she is survived by her children Kimberly Jane Arpin and her husband Roger of Brookline, NH, Jil Sullivan and her husband Mark of South Boston, Robert Cox and his wife AnnMarie of Ipswich; stepchildren, Susan Martin and her husband Wayne of Merrimac, NH, Rebecca Thatcher-Lord and her husband Thomas of Campton, NH and John G. Thatcher III and his wife Karen of Billerica; sixteen grandchildren and one great grandchild. Her Funeral Service was held 11am Saturday, December 29, 2012 in the Ascension Memorial Church, 31 County Street, Ipswich. Family and friends were welcomed. Visiting hours were Friday 4 to 8 pm in the Whittier-Porter Funeral Home, 6 High Street, Ipswich. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in her name may be made to VNA of Middlesex East Visiting Nurse Hospice, Suite 17, 607 North Ave., Wakefield, MA 01880. For directions and or to leave a condolence please visit www.whittier-porter.com