Sara E. Lawrence

Sara Elizabeth Cowen Lawrence age 96 of St. Charles passed away on Monday December 16, 2024 at River Glen Senior Living in St. Charles.

Sara was born March 7, 1928 in Garrett, Indiana, the daughter of Richard and Elizabeth (Clements) Sharpless.  Raised in Auburn and Indianapolis Indiana, Evanston Illinois, and Crawfordsville Indiana. Spent her adult life in Indiana, Illinois ,and Kent England.

Graduated Crawfordsville High School, class of 1946, Purdue University, class of 1950. M.S. Northern Illinois University, 1979, Ed.D. Northern Illinois University, 1986.

She is survived by her children Susan (Alan) Tollefson of Dubuque Iowa, Richard Cowen of Geneva Illinois, and Phillip (Elena) Cowen of Batavia Illinois; grandchildren Brian (Holly) Tollefson, Karen Slade, Julie Robbie, and Cassandra Cowen; great grandchildren Daniel and Madison Tollefson.

Sara was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband Daniel Cowen and her second husband Arthur Lawrence and her sister Susie Smith and grandson Michael Tollefson.

Taught almost every grade from first grade to the graduate level in a university.  Ran her own business, Education Counseling Service, which helped dyslexics locate and obtain appropriate services.  Coordinated a Federal Grant at Northern Illinois University which helped postsecondary institutions and the Department of Rehabilitation in Illinois establish appropriate services for students and clients with learning disabilities.  Served as CEO of Smith & Richardson Manufacturing prior to retirement.

Avid outdoor person.  Enjoyed biking, camping, hiking, fishing, canoeing, and cross country skiing.  Avid traveler, having visited every state in the United States and every continent in the world except Antarctica.

Visitation will be held Saturday, February 1, 2025 from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the Memorial Service at 2:00 p.m. at the Malone Funeral Home, 324 East State St (Rt. 38) Geneva, Illinois, with Minister Al Patten officiating.

Interment is anticipated to be a private event.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Northern Illinois Food Bank 273 Dearborn Court, Geneva, Il 60134 https://solvehungertoday.org

For more information 630-232-8233 or www.malonefh.com 

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