Sara Thomas' Obituary
Sara Lynn Thomas, 37 of Cornelius passed away on November 8, 2019. She was born on November 29, 1981 in Pittsburgh, PA. to Judith Marion Thomas and the late Edward Daniel Thomas.
Sara was deeply loved by her family from the beginning. She grew up in Ingomar, PA, a suburb of Pittsburgh. Sara graduated from North Allegheny high school in 2000. She also earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from The University of Pittsburgh in 2005. More important than any degree was Sara's passion for helping the castaways in society. Sara's most difficult career choice was when she worked as a counselor to people in the lowest socio-economic classes with severe mental health and/or substance abuse issues. Sara taught hurting people how to find hope and inspired them to strive to be what they wanted for themselves. She made them laugh at life, their mistakes and the demons in their lives. Through Sara, the demons became powerless things that people could overcome. She walked humbly beside these people on their journey to be better versions of themselves. She sought out those who were deemed undesirable by society and made them feel loved. She once invited a homeless man who lived behind a dumpster to a friend's dinner party just because he had never been invited to a formal dinner party. On another occasion, she brought a recovering addict to an upscale hair salon owned by her friend and influenced him to give the woman a luxurious hair treatment, because she had never had her hair done professionally and she 'deserved a break'. She was very similar to her dad, Ed, who spent his free time ministering to recovering addicts in prison. It brings her family comfort knowing she is in her dad's arms and in the light of God. For those who are left here, we feel robbed of time with her, but as Sara's friend so eloquently put, Sara had a short but brilliant wick on her life. We all wanted her wick to burn longer, but there are people who stay here for a moment and their short wick is a furious flame that guides those who are fighting to get out of the darkness. You can only flare that bright for a short period of time and some who are close to her and have always known her love don't see that brilliance. The bright light was always for those who never felt love, the castaways in society. Sara's humor was brilliant, irreverent, hysterical, and sometimes had hidden lessons. Her 'hobbies' included talking on the phone, listening to stand-up comedian pod casts, taking naps and petting cats. Her laughter will never be forgotten, nor will the way she made us feel loved.
In addition to her mother, survivors include her sister Jennifer Linsenmayer (James), her niece, Isabella Linsenmayer and nephew, Noah Linsenmayer of Davidson, NC, along with other family members and countless friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Crisis Assistance Ministry, whose mission is preventing homelessness and preserving dignity. Crisis Assistance Ministry, 500 -A Spratt Street, Charlotte, NC 28206. www.crisisassistance.org
A graveside service will be held at 11 AM Saturday, November 16 at Mimosa Cemetery in Davidson. Please dress casually. Sara would want you to be comfortable!
James Funeral Home of Huntersville is serving the family. www.jamesfuneralhomeLKN.com
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