Sara Louise “Sally” Barthel Heinze

Sara Louise “Sally” Barthel Heinze died at Hospice Austin’s Christopher House in Austin, Texas, on November 1, 2026, at the age of 85. She was born on March 11, 1941 to Justus Charles Barthel and Esther Dietterich Barthel in Stamford, Connecticut. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a Master of Arts degree in History. Sally married Everett Heinze in 1963 and they had a family of 4 children together. In 1971 the Heinzes moved to Austin, Texas where Sally and Everett raised their family. Despite the chaos that having 4 children can bring, Sally found time to serve her community. Service in Austin was a staple of Sally’s life including her children’s schools, church and community outreach. But she never forgot her New England roots and begrudgingly called Texas home.

Sally always had an interest in the study of religion and in 1987, at age 46, she decided to audit several courses at the Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest. Finding a true calling to ministry there, she enrolled as a full-time student and graduated with a Master of Arts degree in Religion. While attending the Seminary of the Southwest, Sally met the Reverend Kathy Young, her partner for the past 36 years.

Part of Sally’s seminary coursework required a hospital chaplaincy internship at St. David’s Hospital Main. She had the good fortune of training under the Reverend Chuck Meyer, Director of Pastoral Care and nationally recognized medical ethicist. Chuck Meyer was on the cutting edge of palliative and end-of-life care in Austin and the founding chaplain of Hospice Austin. He was so impressed with Sally’s skill and expertise ministering in the hospital setting that he offered her a full-time job as a chaplain at St. David’s Hospital Main shortly before she graduated from seminary. She held this position for 17 years until her retirement at the age of 65. She was beloved for her genuineness and compassion combined with a sharp wit and endearing smile. Sally’s sense of humor and ability to make you laugh in disarming ways are legend. Her “realness” as a person was possibly her most endearing quality throughout her life and served her well in her work as a chaplain. She had that rare ability to offer comfort and support in difficult situations by combining genuine care with lightheartedness and humor.

Sally often commented that she was “a jack of all trades and master of none” which really meant that she had a thirst for adventure. Her interests were many and varied and included gardening, cooking, woodworking, motorcycle riding, scuba diving, reading a good novel or history book, the beach and the mountains anywhere. Sally proudly rode in the MS 150 bicycle ride from Houston to Austin in support of research for Multiple Sclerosis 6 years in a row. She loved all times spent with her children and grandchildren, especially family vacations. She always had at least 2 dogs, usually one of them a dachshund. Sally had a special way with animals and her dogs loved her dearly.

Perhaps Sally’s greatest adventure, after raising her children and completing her career in hospital chaplaincy, happened in her retirement years. Sally and Kathy designed and supervised the building of a cabin along the Conejos River in southern Colorado. Sally became an avid flyfisher, snowshoer, wood chopper and hiker into the wilderness of the South San Juan Range. Their cabin ended up feeling like a little piece of Paradise and Sally could not have been happier than she was each and every time she was there.

All in all, Sally’s was a long life well-lived and she knew how to live it to the fullest. She leaves this world such a better place because of the light of her smile and the warmth of her laughter, especially for family and friends who knew and loved her so very much.

Sally is survived by her partner, Kathy Young. She is also survived by her 4 children, Kirsten Caldwell (Chris), Scott Heinze (Henthe), Kenton Heinze (Kellye), Todd Heinze (Robyn); her 9 grandchildren, Emma Nettles (John), Michael Caldwell, Orion Heinze, Riette Heinze, Peyton Heinze, Sarah Moore (Seth), Anna Heinze, Natalie Heinze, Jackson Heinze; and her 3 great-grandchildren, Kathleen Heinze, Sal Everett Heinze, and Harper Heinze. Sally is also survived by her sister, Barbara Brown; her niece, Cherin Brown Aguilar (John); her nephew, Peter Brown (Amanda); and by her partner’s children, Daniel Young (Cristina) and Timothy Young (Brittany). Lastly, Sally is survived by her 2 very best friends, her dachshund, CJ and her labrador retriever, Finch.

Sally’s family would like to extend our deepest gratitude to Hospice Austin and to Hospice Austin’s Christopher House for their extraordinary care and support. Sally’s Funeral Service will be held at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, 3201 Windsor Road, Austin, Texas 78703 at 10 AM on Friday, November 20, 2026, with a reception to follow at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, PO Box 5176, Austin, Texas 78703, to Hospice Austin, 4107 Spicewood Springs Road, Austin, Texas 78759 or to the charity of your choice.