Sarah Nell Hancock Hogan

Sarah Nell Hancock Hogan, 80, peacefully entered paradise on December 8, 2012.

She had been a resident of the Westminster Oaks Health Center since May, 2012. Born a stone's throw from Leon High School, where she was graduated in 1950, she attended Florida State University. She was admired for her soft-spoken, gentle nature, stately beauty, grace and unfeigned humility. She was clothed in dignity and strength, enduring five life-limiting diseases without a single complaint. The most satisfying aspect of her life was home and family. She was convinced, with Samuel Johnson, that "to be happy at home is the ultimate result of all ambition." She set an example that family and young married persons can admire and imitate—devotion to family, affection for her children, grandchildren, and great grandchild, uprightness of character, and a simple, disciplined lifestyle. She was an organized, energetic homemaker with a steadfast work ethic. Time spent with family and friends was precious to her. First place in her life was Jesus. A close second was family. But she was much more than a consummate homemaker. Sarah also was a dedicated servant and caregiver, as a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and aunt.

She was a co-coordinator of the Golden Triangle, a celebrated seniors ministry of the Timberlane Church of Christ, where she was a dedicated member for 55 years. With many others, she helped create and distribute more than 22,000 teddy bears for hurting children in the TMH pediatric emergency room. She assisted in the gifts of nearly 900 afghans for lonely veterans and sick and shut-in elderly. She taught Bible classes for pre-school and elementary school children. She was active in PEO and area garden clubs. She prepared hundreds of meals for church and family. She radiated Christian character and courage. She promoted fairness and respect for others while exhibiting resoluteness and strength of will. Punctuality was her middle name. Those who knew her admired her sense of humor, cheerfulness, unselfishness, and million-dollar smile.

Early in life, she enjoyed the warmth and gentle breezes of Florida's beaches. Later, she praised the grandeur of God's creation while visiting the Rocky Mountains, the Canadian Rockies, the Smoky Mountains, the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Shenandoah Valley, and Austria-Switzerland's Zugspitze. She enjoyed adventures in Ireland, the United Kingdom, Scotland, Belgium, Germany, France, Alaska, Canada, Mexico, Jamaica, and many Caribbean islands. She found inspiration in national parks—the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Glacier, Mount Rushmore, and others. Her favorite cities were Paris, San Francisco, and New Orleans. From Arizona to Miami, she cheered Florida State as an official party participant in Seminole bowl triumphs.

Sarah is survived by Patrick Hogan, her husband of 58 years; her son, Wayne Hogan (wife Dawn), Marietta, GA; her grandchildren, Lindsay Elliott (Jason), Tallahassee, Kelly Bench (Jason), Palm Coas, J. P. Hogan, Marietta, GA; great granddaughter, Leighton Elliott, Tallahassee; sister, Mary Denton, Pelham, AL; niece, Glyn Denton, Birmingham, AL; sister-in-law, Judy Miller, Pasadena, TX; brother-in-law, Mickey Gunn, Beebe, AR; aunt, Vivian Morgan, Huntington Beach, CA, and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents, Melvin and Willie Hancock.

A Celebration of her Life is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. Thursday (December 13) in the Maguire Center for Lifelong Learning at Westminster Oaks. After the service, the family will greet friends in the Maguire Center foyer. Burial will follow at Roselawn Cemetary.

The family expresses extreme gratitude to Dr. Michael Forsthoefel for his superb management of her complex medical issues, to the caring staff of the Health Center at Westminster Oaks, and to the compassionate care team of Big Bend Hospice professionals who comforted her in the challenging final days of her illnesses.

Friends may remember Sarah with a contribution to Big Bend Hospice or to the Lewy Body Dementia Association, 912 Killian Road, S.W., Lilburn, GA 30047.

Or, do something special for a loved one. Sarah would like that.