The following are excerpts from several of the many notes of condolence received after Sarah's death. (Please overlook a father's pride!)

"I remember playing on the swings at Longfellow [elementary school] with Sarah. She was always such a sweet, sincere girl…."

"Sarah was very special. Our girls always loved when Sarah Bricker could come and baby-sit. She took great care and liked playing games and reading to them…. Sarah was a kind and caring person. I admired her enthusiasm to help others and was refreshed as we spoke of faith questions and wrestled with some of life's unfair situations. While in Philadelphia we saw her practice her faith by giving a homeless person a bag of apples and taking the time to acknowledge he was a person loved by God. He was blessed and we were, too, as we watched her from afar…. Sarah made being an MYF [Mennonite Youth Fellowship] sponsor a rewarding experience.

"My memories of Sarah are wonderful-a beautiful girl with compassion for others, a sincere desire to achieve, and a spunky spirit!"

"What we loved so much about Sarah was her compassion for other people and her lighthearted personality. Whenever we students were feeling the pressure of upcoming papers and exams, she had a way of reminding us that there was so much more to our lives than school. We will always remember her smile and her charm."

"I remember Sarah had a very strong sense of justice. The question of what was fair and what wasn't was a big issue with her. I know that she wanted to make a big difference with her life's direction…. I will remember her for the idealistic person she wanted to be, as well as the person she was-a kind person who wanted to devote her life to help others. The way a person plays their instrument often reflects the inner nature of the person. Sarah played her cello with a lot of love."

"She always came in smiling. She was such a wonderful person to work with. I still remember her favorite thing to eat-kimbob. She could never pass up a chance at having some. She fit in well at Chong's [restaurant] and the customers adored her…. [Sarah] always had something to say and plenty of smiles for everyone.

"Sarah's love of people and spirit for life touched many people on campus and in the Newton community…. Many of those most impacted by her were students more on the margin of mainstream campus life. Her musical talent also blessed many congregations during her time at Bethel [College]…."

to Sarah's home page.
http://asrl.ecn.uiowa.edu/dbricker/SLB_tributes.html

Last modified: 25 February 2000