Obituary of Sarah Dyck

~~At the age of 93, Sarah slipped peacefully into her next adventure on Monday, November 13, 2017.

A true Child of the Sabbath, Sarah was born to Abraham and Agatha (Peters) Dick on Sunday, September 28, 1924 on a farm in Wilmot Township. The second of four children – sisters Helen and Anne and brother Arthur – she finished her schooling at age 11 after which she helped out on the farm and eventually found work at the Sunshine Factory in Waterloo. But nothing could quell Sarah's insatiable passion for learning. She excelled at piano and organ and went on to study at Bethel College in Kansas (where she met husband Bill), at UWO's Waterloo campus and eventually at the University of Waterloo where she earned a Master of Philosophy degree in English.

With the inception of the University of Waterloo, Sarah, along with Bill and their daughters Julie and Vickie, returned home to Waterloo where Sarah fulfilled her role as full-time mother and wife, part-time teacher, musician, author, hostess, daughter, sister, aunt and friend.

The family grew with the addition of Stuart Telfer, Barrie Drysdale and Richard Smith.  Sarah’s delight increased joyfully with the arrival of grandchildren Jessica (Jason Schnarr), Adam (Nicole Telfer) and Sam Drysdale.  And the recent addition of great-grandchildren Matthew and Lucy brought Grandmama Sarah much happiness.

An accomplished author and translator, Sarah published several works after Bill’s death in 1998. Her Mennonite heritage was explored in The Silence Echoes and Path of Thorns and favourite tales translated in Many are the Voices of Home and The Biblical Story. She also wrote poems, compiled a music book of favourite German and English Christmas Carols and wrote her memoirs. Despite increasing physical ailments, Sarah's curiosity, intelligence, eloquence and faith endured until the end. She knew it was her time to fly and she accepted her wings with grace and gratitude. She has earned her rest in God's arms.

The family would like to offer a special thank you to the staff at Parkwood Mennonite Home, CCAC and Hospice Wellington for their care and support.

Sarah’s family will receive relatives and friends at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo on Friday, November 17, 2017 from 3-6 pm.  A memorial service to celebrate Sarah’s life will be held at W-K United Mennonite Church, 15 George St. Waterloo on Sunday, November 19, 2017 at 1:30 pm.  A reception will follow immediately in the funeral home’s Fireside Room.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Mennonite Central Committee, Hospice Wellington, or a hospice of your choice in your community.  Donations and condolences for the family may be arranged by contacting the funeral home at www.erbgood.com or 519-745-8445.