It is with great sorrow that we announce that on Saturday, April 17, Sara Westfahl passed away in her sleep at the Ida Emerson Hospice House in Eureka. She was 84 years of age.

Sara was born to parents James Vernon and Ora Mae Whitmire in Woodland, Calif. and raised and educated in Davis, Calif.

She met her husband John in 1959 while training at St. Charles Hospital of Bend, Oregon, to acquire her radiology technicians license. They fell in love and were married on June 12, 1960.

After earning her license, they moved to Eureka in 1961, where she was employed as a X-ray tech at the “old” General Hospital and then later at St. Joseph’s Hospital, where she eventually accepted the position of director of imaging services and was crucial in the design of the first cath lab.

Sara and John raised four children in Eureka — Theresa, John Paul, Kevin and Andrew.

Sara had an interest in art since she was a very young girl. As a first grader, she had her very own colored chalk and a special place at the chalk board to illustrate the different seasons and holidays. This developed into an obsession of seasonal decorating in her home.

As a young adult, she studied art under Joe DeWitt in Davis, Calif. and took art classes at Sacramento City College. She was a member of the Bend Oregon Theater Group, where she painted back drop scenes and special commission murals.

Sara worked in various expressions, painting with water colors, pastels, acrylics and oils. She was also experienced in scherenschnitte, the art of German/Swiss silhouette paper cuttings, and has done designs on commission. She had created portrait silhouettes on site in Ferndale, Old Town Eureka and the Eureka Inn. Her favorite silhouettes were her “fairy” creations with pressed flower wings. Sara was also known as the “Santa lady.” Her one-of-a-kind father Christmases were created from driftwood and gourds, as well as other gourd creations. During the holiday seasons, she participated in the Humboldt Artisans Christmas show at Redwood Acres.

She was a long-time member of the Old Town Art Gallery and past president, as well as a member of the Redwood Arts Association. Sara was a member of the sorority Beta Sigma Phi. She attained her 60th year in January 2020. Sara lived a full and rewarding life.

Sara is survived by her children – Theresa Michelle (Plank), John Paul and wife Teri, Kevin James and wife Pauline and Andrew David and wife Alicia; her brother David Whitmire and sister Debbie Mobley (Whitmire); grandchildren Lindsey Westfahl, Sarah Lee (Plank) and husband Michael, Dick Plank and wife Jane, Jennifer Mason (Plank) and husband Joey, Sandra Parrish (Plank) and husband Timothy; great-grandchildren IIelyn Wentworth, Kayla, Michael Jr., Mathew and Mitchell Lee, Elizabeth (Lizzy) Plank, Jorjah, Joey “Mack” Mason and Angela Parrish; her nieces Heather Jackson (Mobley) and husband Eric, Leigh Choate (Whitmire) and husband Randy, Jenifer Grocock (Whitmire) and husband Jamie, Brian Whitmire and wife Amber and her sister Nancy’s children, nieces Shirley, Shiela, Anna, Lori Jo and nephew Cody and numerous great-nieces and nephews.

Sara is proceeded in death by her parents, husband John Edward Westfahl, brother Thomas Whitmire, sister Nancy Eason (Whitmire) and her daughter Cindy, sister-in-law Kathy Whitmire and brother-in-law Michael Mobley.

There will be a celebration of her life on Saturday, June 26 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at her home in Cutten — 1556 Fern Drive.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to a charity of your choice.

###

The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Sara Westfahl’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.