Sarah Kathryn Mirjanich's Obituary
Sarah Kathryn Mirjanich (Hilliard) began the final trip of her long and full life on May 13, 2021. She was born on April 16, 1929 in West Point Mississippi to Carl and Elizabeth Hilliard. When Sarah was two years old her family moved to Miami Oklahoma where her father managed the Coca Cola bottling company.
Sarah lived an idyllic childhood filled with family, friends and fun. A self- described social butterfly who never took herself too seriously she was very involved in high school activities and was elected Homecoming queen in 1947. The Hilliard house was the gathering place for her large group of friends, boys and girls and it was filled with fun and of course Coca Cola.
Sarah furthered her education at Lindenwood College in St. Charles Missouri where she earned a degree in elementary education. It was there, at the end of her freshman year that she met Louis Mirjanich and with that meeting she kicked off the trip of her life.
Lou and Sarah were married on June 22 ,1951 in Miami. They lived in St. Louis for two years where Sarah was employed at the Aeronautical Chart and Information Center.
In 1953 the couple moved to Miami. They started a family and Sarah lived an active life as a wife and mother. She gave of herself tirelessly and unselfishly, never putting herself first to insure, that her family’s every need was met and that, she achieved to perfection.
When Sarah and Lou became empty nesters, they began their travel adventures. Sarah rode a camel in Egypt, an elephant in Nepal, the Orient Express from Paris to Istanbul, she walked on the great wall of China, kissed the Blarney stone, and walked where Jesus walked in the Holy Land to name just a few of her travel experiences.
Despite her rich life experiences, she was happiest at home. Her hobbies included gardening, golf, bridge, tanning at the pool with friends and reading. She made detailed photo albums complete with captions of their many trips. She was a lifelong member of the First Presbyterian Church where she gave freely of her time her whole life. She volunteered at the Coleman Theater as a tour guide and had many stories to tell of the people she met there from across the nation and the world. She was a member of the AJ Chapter of PEO.
Sarah is survived by her children, daughter Rebecca Davis and husband Rod, son Dr. John Mirjanich, granddaughter Lauren Dooley, husband Chris and great grandson Jack and numerous nieces and nephews who she loved dearly. Sarah was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 69 years, Lou, parents Carl and Elizabeth, sister Martha Morrison and husband Robert.
Sarah had a bright, friendly personality that attracted people to her throughout her long life. She had a quick, sarcastic wit and poked fun at herself often. She was always singing a song, making up her own words to her tune of the day. She was a happy person who loved her family fiercely. When Sarah told us good-by after a visit she would give us a hug and say, “you are the light of my life.” In truth, Sarah was the light of our lives and her light will shine brightly in our hearts and the hearts of those who knew and loved her until the end of our days.
The family wishes to thank the caring staff at Bellarose Senior living.
There will be a Celebration of Life 11:00 AM on Tuesday, May 25, 2021 at First Presbyterian Church in Miami with Reverend Ray VandeGiessen officiating. Interment will follow at the Grand Army of the Republic Cemetery in Miami under the care of Brown-Winters Funeral Home and Cremation Service.
In lieu of flowers please make memorial contributions in Sarah’s name to the First Presbyterian Church, Miami Oklahoma.
The service will be streamed on the Brown-Winters Face Book page.
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