Flanigan, Sarah Margaret, was only 18 years old when she passed away at home in Lemon Heights, California on March 22, 2014.
Sarah was born July 15, 1995 at St. Joseph Hospital in Orange, California to Preston and Beth (Cruickshank) Flanigan. Sarah was a freshman at Chapman University in Orange, California, transferring from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX (SMU). While at Chapman, she was an A student working toward a degree in Health Sciences. She was a prior graduate of Foothill High School in Tustin, California.
Sarah touched many with her dry sense of humor and her ebullient personality. This was apparent in her charisma as a barista at The Lost Bean, her vivacious presence as a performer, and her radiant passion for life. Sarah's world was music. She lived, breathed, and dreamt of song, notes, and the emotions realized by all forms of song. She was a member of the Chapman University Choir and a member of the Belle Tones a cappella group while at SMU. At Foothill she was a member of several choirs, including Madrigals and the Dickens Carolers. She was also a regular cast member in the annual Foothill production "Knights on the Radio". Along with her other Madrigals, Sarah traveled to New York City her senior year to perform in Carnegie Hall. Sarah was a member of the National Charity League and was presented to society at the Nixon Library while a senior at Foothill.
Sarah had grown into a charismatic, loving, perceptive and beautiful woman who was taken prematurely. Despite suffering from Type I Diabetes and Chronic Pain Syndrome, her health had improved significantly in recent weeks before her death and she was very excited about her plans for the future. Sarah was finally beginning to feel relief from her new treatments, remarking to all of her friends and doctors that last week was the most painless week in years. Although it is a tragedy that her plans will never be fulfilled, the brightness of her spirit will live on in the countless hearts that she touched during the short time she was with us.
Sarah lived her life with an overwhelming love and acceptance of others, and with the zest of a young woman who we all thought would live forever. Her unfathomable kindness to so many others has just been made apparent to us, her family, during these last few days. We have always cherished and loved her dearly. And so did hundreds from here to Texas and back.
Sarah is survived by her mother and father; her sisters, Meghan and Heather; her half-brother, Daniel; her grandmother, Margaret; a supportive extended family that includes numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins; as well as her loving godparents, Alice and Jim.
Services for Sarah will begin with a viewing on Friday evening March 28, 2014 from 7 PM to 8:30 PM followed by a ceremony on Saturday March 29, 2014 from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM, both held at Wilding Manor at 11691 Wilding Road, Santa Ana, California. Following the ceremony a Celebration of Life Party for Sarah also will be held at Wilding Manor. Sarah will be interred during a private family burial at Fairhaven Memorial Cemetery in Santa Ana. Please note that parking for the ceremony will be available at Foothill High School starting at 10:15 Saturday morning and shuttle service to the Flanigan house will be provided.
