Sarah Henneberger

We are deeply saddened to announce the loss of Sarah Newcomer Henneberger, 85, of Hanover, PA (formerly of Chambersburg, PA) who passed away peacefully Sunday morning, February 25, 2018.
Sarah was born August 14, 1932 in Waynesboro, PA and was the daughter of the late Richard Keller Newcomer and Ada Shockey Newcomer. She grew up in Smithsburg, MD, was the Head Librarian at Smithsburg Library, and graduated as Valedictorian from Smithsburg High School in 1950. She attended Gettysburg College for two years and graduated from the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing in 1955.
Sarah married Thomas Samuel Mortimer in 1955. They had two children Lynn and Mike, both the pride and delight of her life. The family enjoyed cross-country camping trips, summer vacations at Rehoboth Beach, DE, winter vacations at Mount Snow Ski Resort in Vermont, board games, card games, puzzles, and watching football, basketball, golf, and the Indy 500.
As a Registered Nurse, Sarah worked as an Assistant Supervisor of Nursing at a hospital in Fort Worth, TX for a year, then later as an RN and Office Manager for gastroenterologist Robert J. Lindeman, MD, in Bethesda, MD for 18 years. She enjoyed caring for patients, running the office, and learning more about medicine. She was well-liked by all the patients.
Sarah’s avid interests included playing the piano, silk-flower arranging, contemporary interior design, crewel embroidery, gardening, St. Bernards, snow-capped mountains, reading (especially medical romances), ballroom dancing, roller skating, and traveling.
Sarah moved from her home of 26 years in Silver Spring, MD to Evanston, IL in 1988 and worked as a Dissertation Advisor to graduate students at Northwestern University. In December 1988, Sarah’s life dramatically changed when a ruptured brain aneurysm caused a massive hemorrhage resulting in left-side disability and other deficits. As she went from being independent to very dependent, she began to learn how to adapt physically and emotionally to these radical changes.
In 1989, Sarah married her second husband Rev. James E. Henneberger whom she had known since she was 3 years old. After they married, they continued serving the Church and caring for those in need. After retiring from formal ministry at Faith Lutheran Church in Fort Valley, VA, they relocated to Luther Ridge, a Lutheran retirement community in Chambersburg, PA, and served faithfully at Solomon’s Lutheran Church for 16 years. With Jim as her loving husband and compassionate caregiver, Sarah enjoyed life and did not feel disabled even though she could no longer do many of her interests. They enjoyed long car trips, going out to restaurants, spending time with family and friends, going to Jim’s band concerts, and watching re-runs of Golden Girls, M.A.S.H., The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, and Turner Classic movies.
Sarah is survived by two children: Lynn Sacks (former husband Bill) and Mike Mortimer (wife Donna); three step-children: Linda Serrano (husband Guillermo), Susy Fox, and David Henneberger; three grandchildren: Laura Sacks, Michelle Sacks, and Fawn Felty; three step-grandchildren: Candi Bolivar, Jeremy Serrano, and Eric Henneberger; seven great-grandchildren; and her brother Richard S. Newcomer (wife Sandy). Sarah was preceded in death by her husband Jim Henneberger in 2015, her former husband Tom Mortimer in 2014, her stepson David’s wife Eileen Henneberger, and her parents Dick and Ada Newcomer.
Sarah Henneberger lived a full and happy life and was a blessing to many. As she put it, “What a good life I have had!” She will always be treasured in the hearts of her family and friends. We rejoice that she is now in heaven in the loving presence of God, free from all disabilities and sorrows and fully able to play the piano again and leap and dance for joy!
Sarah’s family will receive relatives and friends at 10:30am Saturday, March 3rd, 2018 at Solomon’s Lutheran Church, 4856 Wayne Rd., Chambersburg, PA, 17202. A memorial service officiated by Rev. Bill Nienstedt to celebrate Sarah’s life will follow at 11am.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting any donations be sent in Sarah’s name to the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing in Baltimore, MD. Arrangements are entrusted to the Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home and Cremation Center, Chambersburg, PA. Online condolences may be expressed on Sarah’s Book of Memories page at www.geiselfuneralhome.com.