Tabor Dane Sabin

Tabor Dane Sabin was born December 14, 1980, in Edmonds, Washington. Tabor spent the first 10 years of his life in the Silver Lake community of South Everett, exploring with friends the 200 acres of forest across the street from his home. He also enjoyed the family?s garden and chickens, and the simple, rural community in which he lived.

Tabor began drawing at age three. This passion became the central focus of his life. His childhood friends, family and teachers were continually impressed and inspired by his talent and the intensity of his love for drawing and artmaking.

Tabor and his family moved to Richmond Beach when he was 10 years old. His energy and positive excitement for life attracted people to him. His heart was open to everyone and he never seemed to judge or exclude.

At Shorewood High School Tabor attended honors classes and demonstrated his gifts as an artist, musician, writer and photographer. In his junior year he was selected through a state-wide competition to attend the Port Townsend Centrum program for gifted students of the arts, where he formed several life-long friendships.

After graduation from high school Tabor was accepted into the Massachusetts College of Art, a nationally acclaimed art school. He moved to Boston in 1999 to begin his studies there.

Through extracurricular work at two community art centers located in and serving low income neighborhoods, Tabor discovered a true affinity for working with children. He subsequently discussed the idea of becoming a teacher. He was especially proud of a project he helped direct at the Hawthorne Youth and Community Center that culminated in the first display of children?s art work at the Gardner Museum in Boston. He was as excited about the work of the children as he was about his own art and exhibitions.

During his sophomore year at MassArt Tabor shared an apartment in Roxbury, Massachusetts. He wrote about how much he enjoyed walking through the culturally diverse community he loved in the following passage from a letter to his mother:

"On Sunday I was walking by a huge Spanish church where they were singing and playing steel drums and other percussion. It was loud and beautiful. Then, two blocks later I hear people chanting something from an apartment. I turn the corner and there is a private shrine with a stone Jesus and small garden in an alley way. A couple of houses down in another apartment I hear a group of people singing in a monotone hum.

A trip to Italy in 1999 accented his love for life, art and people. The grand finale was the millennium celebration with his family in the streets of Rome.

In October 2000 Tabor was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. Tabor?s passion for and pursuit of the creative life never waned as his focus shifted to battling for his health. He attended drawing, painting and writing courses at Shoreline Community College and the Seattle Academy of Fine Art. He also contributed artwork to the Real Change Homeless Empowerment Project. In a speech he delivered at the opening of his painting exhibition at the University of Washington Medical Center he spoke of the healing aspects of art-making. One of Tabor?s paintings is now part of the UWMC?s renowned permanent collection.

In spite of his courageous struggle, Tabor passed away at home on November 13, 2003, surrounded by his family and dear friend and love, Kristine. His death leaves a large hole in the lives of the many people who loved Tabor and were touched by him.

Tabor is survived by his parents, Greg Sabin and Shelley Meyring; his sister, Jenny Sabin; his step-father, Jim Leonard; his step-brothers, Chris and Sean Leonard; his grand parents and great grandmother; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

A prayer service will be held for Tabor at 12:00 pm on November 19, 2003, at Evergreen-Washelli Chapel, 11111 Aurora Avenue North, Seattle, Washington.

Memorial donations can be made in Tabor?s honor to Real Change Homeless Empowerment Project, 2129 2nd Avenue, Seattle WA 98121 or to the Hawthorne Youth and Community Center, 9 Fulda Street, Roxbury, MA 02119.

On-line tributes may be made at this site.