Sara T. Throop

Sara Thompson Throop was at home in Seattle on Wednesday, September 28, preparing to lead a writers' group on telling the story of one's life, when she died.

Sara, 85, daughter of Mary and Lauren Thompson, was born in New Wilmington, PA, attended New Wilmington High School and Westminster College before graduating from Flora Stone Mather College for Women. In the 1960s, she co-owned The Learning Center in Stow, Ohio where she enjoyed tutoring children and adults. Sara earned a PhD in Elementary Education from Akron University and went on to teach at Youngstown State University. She wrote numerous educational books including Basic Sight Words. Sara engaged in many volunteer activities and hobbies, including active membership in Altrusa, Good Neighbors of Akron, and Friends of Stow Public Library; teaching writing classes at OASIS of Akron; and raising monarch butterflies. Sara moved to Seattle in 2008 to be near family.

Sara leaves three children, David Throop (Kathy) of Friendswood, TX; Liz Throop (Joy) of Atlanta; and Patricia Throop (Angela) of Seattle; grandchildren Nathaniel, Leila, Rebecca, and Sara Jeanne of Friendswood, TX; and many dear friends. Her sister Nancy Stranahan preceded her in death. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Good Neighbors, Inc. of Akron, OH, the Sara Throop Scholarship Fund at Youngstown State University, or Monarch Watch. Arrangements: Washelli.com. To leave a remembrance, visit the family's tribute web page at tinyurl.com/sarathroop.