Sarah Jane Wardlaw

Sarah Jane Wardlaw, lovingly known to her family and friends as “Sally,” passed away peacefully on December 22nd, 2025, at Memorial North Hospital in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She would have celebrated her 68th birthday on Christmas Day.

Sally was born in California, a Christmas blessing who grew up in Arkansas where she eventually met and married the love of her life, James Wardlaw. They shared 48 years of marriage and built a life centered on family, faith, and welcoming others with open arms.

She was deeply passionate about her faith in Jesus, which guided the way she loved and served those around her. She was known for her kindness, generosity, and the way she made everyone feel at home. If you came into Sally’s home, you were treated like family—no exceptions.

At the age of 40, Sally courageously returned to school to pursue her calling in nursing. She became a neonatal nurse, where she discovered a profound passion for caring for premature babies, offering not only medical skill but tenderness and hope during some of life’s most fragile moments. Later in life, she continued her calling of compassion through her work in hospice care, walking alongside patients and families with grace, dignity, and comfort.

Sally was also a devoted mother who poured her heart into raising her children, including homeschooling them for several years. No matter where she worshiped, Sally faithfully volunteered at church, serving quietly but consistently wherever help was needed.

Sally had a creative spirit and loved to knit and make crafts. One of her most treasured traditions was creating handmade Christmas stockings for each member of her family—keepsakes that will forever carry her love and presence.

She loved people fiercely and naturally became “a mother to everyone.” Passionate about her beliefs and just as passionate about others, Sally welcomed people as they were, listened deeply, and loved generously. She adored her grandchildren, cherished her family, and was known for her strong will–-stubborn in the very best way—standing firm in love, faith, and conviction.

She was a devoted mother and grandmother and found great joy in her children and grandchildren. Sally is survived by her husband, James Wardlaw; her children, Matthew and Britney Wardlaw, Grace and Rob Dechenne and Abigail and Chris Anrico; and her beloved grandchildren: Kaiden, Ally, Everly, and Nadia Wardlaw and Jackson, Saoirse, and Rhydian Anrico.

Sally’s life was anchored in her faith, and her family finds comfort in the promise of eternal life through Christ.

“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.’” — John 11:25

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, January 10th, 2026, at 1:00 PM at the Academy Christian Church in Colorado Springs.

Sally’s legacy of faith, love, and hospitality will live on in all who knew her.