It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Sara Thayer Thissell (Hall), who was born on February 12, 1946 and passed away on October 22, 2026, in Eureka.

She is survived by her daughter, Tamela “Tamme” Christiansen; her “daughters of the heart,” Tina Puckett, Rashan “Shani” Pearson, Monique “Neeki” Butler and Heidi “Heidi-Ho” Zimprich, along with their families; and more than a dozen grandchildren and great-grandchildren who lovingly called her Gramma, Nana and Granny Goose. She was preceded in death by her mother Esther Mary Hall (Thayer) in 2000, her beloved husband, Charles “Chuck” Thissell, in 2016, and her sister, Mary Matsushima (Hall), in 2021.

A celebration of Sara’s life will be held in Eureka on November 1, 2026, at her family home.

A beautiful combination of an animal-print free spirit, hostess with the mostest, artist extraordinaire and fountain of love, Sara always made sure there was room at her table where everyone belonged.

Sara was an artist all her life. She studied fashion design, worked as a hairdresser and arranged flowers in a florist shop and for countless special events. She sketched in pencil and ink, created stained glass, mosaic tiles, ceramics and beadwork, painted in watercolor and acrylic, and transformed wooden boxes, hat boxes, rocks and glass ornaments into cherished gifts. For many years, she decorated the Christmas tree at her home church around a new theme (often angels) and gifted her angel sketches to close friends each Christmas. Her daughter and granddaughters grew up finding her drawings on their paper lunch bags, including a treasured Twelve Days of Christmas series.

Sara brought her artistry to the kitchen, too, preparing beautiful meals for family and friends. As one of the first students at McKinleyville High School, she helped create a mosaic in the quad, and she later painted a mural in her nephew Joey’s room. She loved beachcombing for agates and shells, and she painted alongside her friends, daughter and granddaughters, passing down her passion for making things beautiful. Yet above all her talents, the people in her life were her greatest treasures.

Sara was also an accomplished marksman and figure skater. One afternoon at the skating rink, she noticed an MG sports car in the parking lot that she didn’t recognize. When she asked whose car it was, Chuck Thissell — the captain of the roller hockey team — claimed ownership. In time, he claimed Sara’s heart as well, leading to a wonderful 50-year marriage. Shortly after celebrating their wedding day, Chuck was drafted and served on the front lines of the Vietnam War.

Upon his return, they wasted no time in starting their family. Tamme arrived in 1968 and became the center of Sara’s world. Sara passed down her creativity, beauty, sense of humor and gift for bringing people together to Tamme, who gracefully stepped into the role of “hostess with the mostest” in Sara’s later years. The Thissells lived in Big Lagoon, Samoa and Westhaven throughout their marriage; when Sara moved to Eureka after Chuck’s passing, Tamme became her home.

Sara had a superpower for connecting people. She was often the common thread weaving families together, forming deep bonds that endured for decades. Sara loved — and was loved by — some of the most wonderful people in the world.

Her childhood best friend, Pat, remained one of her closest companions throughout her life. It certainly helped that they married brothers, raised their children together and never missed celebrating New Year’s Eve together!  Pat’s older sister, Ginger, also joined the trend by marrying one of the Thissell boys. Sara’s flower girl (Susie) and ring bearer (Denny) grew up, fell in love and officially joined the Johnson and Thissell families together “officially” — though the two families had already spent years sharing memories at the cabin at Ruth Lake, all thanks to Sara’s uncanny way of bringing people into her fold.

Growing up in the small community of Westhaven, Sara was close friends with the Freeman boys and her dear friend Linda McGahay. Linda later married Don Freeman and together, Linda and Don, Pat and Joe, and Sara and Chuck shared a joyful friendship that endured through the years, despite the miles between them.

Church was another sanctuary where Sara’s love and hospitality fostered lifelong friendships. Her home was a hub for food and fellowship. During one season of her life, she hosted and served dinner to over 30 people every week for Wednesday night Bible Study. The women with whom she shared prayer meetings and Bible studies — Barbara, Gladys, Geri, Sherry, Patti, Susan and Gayle — became a true lifeline, walking alongside her through life’s joys and sorrows for 45 years. Even when distance separated them, Cody, Trisha and Michelle remained faithful lifelong friends, brightening her world with regular letters and phone calls.

Through these close relationships, Sara gained not just friends, but extra daughters. Tina, Neeki, Shani and Heidi all lived with Sara during different seasons of their lives. Tamme was rarely an only child and felt blessed to share her home and parents with her sweet childhood friends.

While raising their children in Humboldt County, the Thissells also found lifelong companionship with the Windes family. Brought together by their children, the natural ease of their friendship created another unbreakable connection. Jan and Sara shared a bond so beautiful that words can hardly describe it. When Sara, Jan and Ginger all became widows, these three matriarchs held each other tight, supporting one another with deep understanding and wisdom.

Sara and her sister, Mary, cared for one another in a way only sisters can. Although Mary moved away to build a beautiful life far from home, she remained an integral part of Sara’s life through frequent phone calls and visits for holidays and vacations. Mary and her husband, John Matsushima, had two children, Amy and Joe. Sara delighted in her niece and nephew; even with physical distance between them, they were always close to her heart, and every visit filled her with overwhelming pride and love.

Between Chuck’s seven siblings and her sister, Sara had 35 nieces and nephews to love, and listening to her talk about them, you would think each one lived right next door. She savored every story and accomplishment, sharing their successes proudly. Her nephew Jim was especially dear to her, as she held the sweet baby boy in her arms through much of Chuck’s deployment to Vietnam. Annie grew up alongside her Aunt Sara, spending many summer days helping her keep an eye on Tamme, neighborhood friends and cousins. Lori Ann was like a second daughter to Sara — she and Tamme were more like sisters than cousins. Together with another beloved niece, Terri, they formed the “Three Amigos,” rotating through each other’s homes during holidays and school breaks in a ritual Sara adored.

Sara’s many poodles also held a special place in her heart. A sign placed on Chuck’s dresser famously read, “She loves me more than she loves the dog,” just to keep the proper pecking order clear!

When Tamme married Louis Christiansen, Louie became the son Sara never had. She affectionately relied on him for love and support in countless ways. After Chuck passed away, Louie stepped in to ensure Sara had a safe, warm home — and a strong guy to do her bidding. She felt secure knowing Louie was nearby and found deep comfort in hearing his guitar playing through the walls.

The dynamic between her and her brother-in-law, Joe Thissell, shifted as well. He was not only her best friend’s husband and, indeed, her dear friend for many years, he became her guardian watching to be sure she had everything she needed. There was an unspoken reassurance that in Chuck’s absence, Joe had her back. 

Sara’s grandchildren were her absolute world. She became “Gramma” to Tamme’s children: Kate, Tessa, Joselyn, Taylor, Sarajane and Aiden, who brought their partners Soren, Seth, Stephen, Zach, Case and Jamie into the family fold. She also held the beloved title of “Nana” to Shani’s daughters, Brooke and Kinsa. Sara could hardly say “no” to any of her grandchildren, and was often found teaching them one of her many crafts and skills, driving them to the mall to do a bit of retail therapy, or holding her tongue while cutting and dying their hair in ways that she never approved of. She would have given her grandkids the whole world if it were hers to share. In her later years, her grandchildren found themselves giving back. Sarajane, Taylor and Aiden were her daily helpers, tenderly doing Sara’s fetching, dressing, cleaning and shopping, but the most precious thing they gave her was their quality time each day, telling stories and updating her on their lives. 

Eventually, she embraced the honorary title of “Granny Goose” for her great-grandchildren: Sierra, Elle, Aviva, Juniper, Rowan, Iris, Leia, Asher, Delilah and Sebastian. Her home was always filled with love and laughter — last Christmas, there were 21 stockings hanging from her mantel!

Of all the precious people in her life, the most special of all was her husband, Chuck. Their 50-year marriage painted a complete picture of love, hope, joy, gentleness, patience and kindness, showing everyone around them what true love looks like. Since his passing, Sara’s heart was never fully whole. The silver lining to this loss, if ever there is one, is knowing she is back in the arms of her closest companion.

Picture the Mad River, a tent on a deck, folk music playing, and Chuck and Jesus fishing side-by-side. Nearby, with her nose in a book, Sara sits with them, a beautiful smile on her face.

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