Sarah J. Damaske

Sarah Jane Damaske gave us a precious gift of how to live life with compassion and dedication, and how to die with faith and true selflessness. In both, she awed us with her dignity and grace. When Sarah found out at the age of 27 that her body was filled with cancer and the prognosis was a year at best, she did not ask “why me?” Instead she asked “Why not me?” She believed she was at a great place in her life – she knew she would receive excellent care at The University of Chicago (where she had just started her graduate studies), and she was blessed with a loving, supportive family and boyfriend that would constantly be at her side during her journey toward death. Sarah lived the last two years of her life with enthusiasm and optimism, choosing to be happy and content with what life brought her. Her faith grew stronger every day as she became closer to God. What a way to live, Sarah! What a way to die. Sarah was born to Jane and Bill Damaske at the Berrien General Hospital in 1981 and has a younger sister, Rachel. They live in Sarah's childhood home in St. Joseph Michigan. Bill's parents are Bill (deceased) and Claribel Damaske. He has one sister, Jane Wilson (husband Charles, daughter Michele Ellis married to Greg ). Jane's parents, Chester and Analene Raak of Holland, MI are both deceased. She has a brother, Charles Raak (wife Denise), and a sister Nancy Bonner (husband Bob, sons Rob [wife Kim] and Niels). The love of Sarah's life is Chris Bertsch. Sarah won many awards at Lakeshore Junior High School including Achievement Awards for Drama, Student Council Representative, Honor Roll, Basketball, and Volleyball. Those awards continued at Lakeshore High School with Key Club International, Equestrian Team, MIHA (Michigan Interscholastic Horsemanship Association) State Championship '95, '96, Academic Letter Award, Varsity Athletic Award for Cross Country, National Honor Society, Clara L. Myers Chapter of the National Honor Society, President's Education Awards Program, State of Michigan Competitive Scholarship Program, and the Michigan High School Athletic Association Scholar-Athlete Award. She excelled at Michigan State University consistently being on the Dean's Honor Roll, and on the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Bob Brackenridge for Senator Campaign, and Golden Key International Honour Society. At the University of Chicago, Sarah was soon selected as a Chicago Leadership Fellow. In preparation for a position after she completed her work at the University, she completed the interview process at the Office of Management and Budget in Washington, D.C. unaware of the cancer in her body. There were over 100 applicants for two positions. The outcome would be bittersweet, as the day she received her dream offer to be a Policy intern was also the day her cancer was confirmed. A framed State of Michigan Special Tribute tells much about Sarah. It reads: “Let it be known, That it is a great pleasure to express our sincere appreciation to Sarah J. Damaske for her years of dedicated service and contributions to the members of the Michigan Legislature. Since joining the staff of former Senator Harry Gast, in the fall of 2000, Sarah has impressed all of us with her knowledge of the political and legislative process in promoting the goals, ideals and principles of the Republican Party. Indeed, Sarah will be missed by those who have benefited from and relied on the hard work, intelligence, and complete dedication she has provided us over her tenure in the Michigan Legislature. .. We admire her tremendous dedication and attention to detail that can be seen through all of her works. … In addition to Sarah's valuable contributions to the legislative process, she has also been equally involved in the community throughout the state of Michigan… Also, Sarah was been inducted into the Golden Key International Honor Society and is a member of the Michigan Political Leadership Program's class of 2005…In special tribute, therefore, this document is signed and dedicated to thank Sarah J. Damaske for her friendship, dedication and hard work. It is our sincerest desire that her future is filled with happiness and success in all of her future endeavors. May she know of the esteem in which she is held by her colleagues and friends and of our best wishes for the years ahead. Michael Ferland, Chief Sergeant at Arms; Ken Sikkema, 28th District Senate Majority Leader; Michael D. Bishop, 12th District Assistant Senate Majority Leader” Sarah's mom wrote to her as she entered her senior year at Michigan State, “I love you dearly. You are and always will be precious to me.” Sarah's life ended on February 21, 2010 but not the love we have for her nor the example she left of how to live and how to die. Visitation will be on Friday, February 26, 5 PM to 8 PM at Starks Menchinger Funeral Home, St. Joseph MI. The celebration of Sarah's life will be held 11 AM Saturday, February 27 at Trinity Lutheran Church 613 Court St. Saint Joseph. In lieu of flowers, Sarah and her family request that donations be made to the Therapeutic Equestrian Center (T.E.C.) or charity of your choice. This memorial tribute is submitted by Sarah's dear friend, Dee Dee Sterling.