Sarah Leah Anne Elfström

It is with a deep sense of sadness and loss that our family shares the passing of Sarah Leah Anne Elfström (called Rah-Rah by her baby sister) in her sleep at home in Vancouver BC at the age of 39 on February 2, 2024.

She was the beloved daughter of Kerry Elfström and the late Margaret Elfström (nee Clements) and much loved step-daughter of Gayle Farrell (Bohdan Zajcew). She will be sadly missed by her father, step-mother, brother Michael Elfstrom (Kristina Ciunkaite), niece Fausta Kasauska, nephew Leo Elfström, and sister Madison Farrell.

She was predeceased by her aunt Judy Clements, cousin Paul Clements and uncle Gary Elfström. Her mother Margaret passed away on February 25, 2024.

She will also be missed by her uncle John Clements (Minnie Clements), and the Elfström family including aunt Carol Elfström, cousins David Elfström (Paula Boutis), Julie Elfström (Darren Billark), uncle Peter Elfström and cousins Tracey Elfström, Paula Thulin (Rick Thulin), and Brandie Elfström.

Sarah was born on February 15, 1984 in Richmond, BC to Margaret and Kerry Elfström. She had two siblings, Michael Elfström and Madison Farrell.

She enjoyed a happy life growing up in Richmond, BC and made many friends especially Stacey Anderson, Lindsay Renke and Brenna Fines. After graduating from Hugh McRoberts Secondary School, she completed a BA in psychology at UBC including two semesters in Sweden (Uppsala and Lund).

Early in life Sarah wanted to be a professional athlete so both during and after high school, she participated in sports including water-skiing, water polo, soccer, basketball, volleyball, swimming, golf, fast-pitch softball and wrestling; she excelled at all of them.

Sarah played women’s fast-pitch softball from house through triple A league (go Islanders!) right up until her early 20s, culminating in being scouted as an elite back-catcher and given a full-ride scholarship to Lynn College/University in Florida.

Sports was not the only thing Sarah excelled at.

Friends and family will attest to the exuberance and enthusiasm with which she approached any and all tasks and challenges in front of her - in sports, school, and life. She obtained a Certificate in Carpentry and a Class 3 air brake license before going on to train as a fire-fighter at the Arkansas Fire Academy where she placed 1st in the program - the first female to do so – then was employed as a forest fire-fighter in BC. She also trained and worked as a coast guard with the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary.

Sarah never chose the easy path. When people around her pointed out the challenges for women in her careers of interest, her response was “just watch me.”

Always a fighter and a defender of underdogs and people less fortunate, Sarah became a champion for those with disabilities - like herself - and advocated, supported and helped them access the services and supports they need.

Sarah will also be remembered for her love of animals, having lived with them (usually more than one at a time) her entire life. She was a vocal advocate for animal rights and would have given any stray cat or dog a home.

A combined private celebration of life for Sarah and her mother will be held on Saturday March 23, 2024.

Instead of flowers please consider a donation in Sarah’s name to the BC SPCA, the Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network (PLAN), or the Canadian Mental Health Association, BC Division (CMHA) BC).