Obituary of Sarah Engle

Inspired and inspiring, admired and adored, Sarah Engle left this earth quietly, in her sleep, far too early. She would have much preferred to continue enquiring and learning, and to dispense love and advice, at least until the proverbial age of 120. She leaves behind passionately grateful children, daughters Monica Meislin (Aaron) and Marilyn, and sons Raphael (Barbara) and Fredric (Jocelyn). She also found joy, fulfillment and comfort in her Meislin grandchildren, Barry (Geneviève), Robert (Andrea), and Laura (Gary Sokolow); her Engle grandchildren Noelle and Danae, Lisa (Jeff Glaizel), and David; and her great-grandchildren Shlomo, Rachel, Ariel, Sophie Meislin, Emma and Ben Sokolow, and Jacob and Nathan Glaizel. She mourned the passing of all of her siblings, Fanny, Al, Bill, and Roy. Her beloved husband Izzy (Isaac) (1902-75) was irreplaceable, but her new roots and branches that developed after his passing enabled her to find even more joy in everyone else’s accomplishments. Another family who also called her Grandma over many decades, with a multitude of last names, also mourns: Marilyn’s students and their parents as well as her loving caregivers Mia and Criselda. Sarah’s joy in the development and achievements of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, and in those of Marilyn’s friends, students and colleagues, was legendary. She was an endless source of encouragement and advice, often dispensed along with her extraordinary baking and cooking. Till the very end, there was never a minute not devoted to questions about how the members of her extended family—including her caregivers, her doctors (especially Dr. Donna Wachowich) and her nurses—were doing. Born in Winnipeg, Sarah early endured great hardships, illnesses and losses, but her curiosity and generosity and her indomitable will helped forge a character that did not support giving up, either for herself or anyone she cared about. With her husband Izzy she shared a concern for justice and benevolence, and was long involved in community charity work as well as dispensing daily acts of kindness. Recently, those of us close to her experienced a playfully asked rhetorical question: “You know what? (What?) I love you!” And in speeches delivered in person and on the phone there was another signature phrase: “Carry on!” Carry on, Mum! Carry on, Grandma Sarah! We love you. Funeral Services will be held at the CHEVRA KADISHA OF CALGARY, (North East Corner of Highway 22X & 37th Street S.W.), Telephone: 244-4717, on Thursday, January 15, 2009 at 2 p.m. Internment will follow at the Jewish Cemetery, (Erlton Street and 30th Ave. S.W.) Shiva will be observed at the home of her daughter, Marilyn, beginning at 6:00 p.m., Thursday, with successive times T.B.A. If friends so desire, memorial donations may be made in her name directly to Jewish charities of choice, or to scholarships registered in her name to the Calgary Kiwanis Music Festival or the University of Calgary Music Department.