Obituary of Sarah Elizabeth Jennings Lahey

Sarah E. Jennings Lahey lost her valiant fight against brain cancer on Monday the 15th of March. She passed away peacefully just after 9PM in the home she shared with her husband Eric in Southeast Portland. Sarah was born on September 27th 1984 at Emanuel Hospital – arriving in this world 7 weeks premature, a fighter with her first breath. She was always in a hurry, wanting to wring every last drop out of a day or minute that was possible. Sarah was selected for TAG while attending Russell Elementary School, chosen to read to 2nd and 3rd graders when she was in 1st grade. She received her first library card from the Midland Branch Library at the age of 3 ½. Sarah participated in softball, soccer, basketball, volleyball and band throughout elementary and middle school. Somehow, she also managed piano and drum lessons! Sarah graduated from Parkrose High School in 2002 lettering in varsity Soccer, Band, Theatre and Dance. She was a member of the Parkrose Elite Dance team and Thespian Troop #1783. Sarah attended Camp Namanu beginning in the summer of 1991 and ending with her selection as a C.I.T. and finally a Counselor at the camp she loved so much. The University of Oregon, Oregon State University and Portland State University were graced by her presence and academic searching. Music however, was Sarah’s life; she began singing as soon as she could talk. She was a member of five local Portland bands: Five Star Failure, A Stand At Vienna, EmberGhost, WhyWeFearFiction and The Hot Toddies. Sarah lent her amazing vocal range to songs of her own composition as well the songs of other artists. It was that passion for her fellow human beings which caused Sarah to embrace Buddhism and the credo of doing no harm was a mantra she lived by daily. An ardent vegan for many years, Sarah delighted in ridiculing her parents or friends for their slips of cheese or ice cream or yogurt. Above all else, Sarah’s sense of injustice in the world, especially for those Americans without health care, haunted her final days and weeks. She was an outspoken critic of the health insurance industry and it is our hope that her life was not lived in vain. This amazing young woman was loved by many and will be sorely missed, but Sarah Elizabeth, know that your beautiful smile remains in many hearts and your Starshine will forever be a beacon guiding us through the coming days, weeks and months. Sarah leaves behind her parents, John and Karen Jennings of Hillsboro, her husband, Eric M. Lahey, and more friends than there is space here. For those of you who would like to continue the fight against cancer in Sarah’s name, you may make donations to Dr. Daniel Gruenberg at Northwest Cancer Specialists, 9555 SW Barnes Road, Suite 150, Portland, 97225. Arrangements by Crown Memorial Center - Portland.