Sarah Foster Stephens

June 17, 1922 - January 23, 2018

Sarah Foster Stephens, a third generation Californian was born in San Francisco to Ben and Sallie Foster. She grew up on ranch lands in Sonoma County where she developed a life - long love for the land and for horses. Sarah was the oldest of three children. Given a large extended family, family remained always important to her. She graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in nursing. She began work as a nurse at UCSF. She also served as a nurse in the army, stationed in Walla Walla, Washington. Sarah married Dr. Jack Wylie in 1945. They made their home in San Francisco where they raised their three children.

During the late 60’s, Sarah worked as the executive assistant at the Ecumenical House at SF State University. It was at this time that she met and married her second husband, Hannibal Williams, D.D. Sarah also worked as a clinic nurse at Planned Parenthood.

Sarah later moved to Santa Rosa and became volunteer coordinator at Memorial Hospital and Sonoma County Parks. A third marriage to John Stephens took her to Napa. Upon John’s death in 2013, Sarah returned to Santa Rosa and then Sebastopol for her final years.

Up until her death, she remained passionately interested in both local and world events. She had a special gift for developing and keeping friendships throughout her life.

On January 23rd, Sarah died in Sebastopol surrounded by her children and her long time care giver and friend, Susan Nichols.

She is survived by her children: Scott Wylie (Joan) of Atherton, Lee Wylie of Sebastopol, and Sarah Wylie (Robert Meyer) of Eugene, Oregon; and her beloved grandchildren: Patrick Wylie and Katie Wylie (Edward Boas)

Sarah will be missed by many.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her name can be made to Planned Parenthood.