In Remembrance……. Sara Jane Hussey (1978 - 1998)
Sara (Westminster Choir '96) was an active member of the FPC youth choirs throughout junior and senior high school. Audiences couldn’t help but notice this beautiful, graceful dancer; the one with the sweet smile and eyes that glowed with love of life. Even her 10-year struggle with leukemia and enduring a bone marrow transplant, did not stop her from fully participating in the choir, musicals and choir tours. She graduated from JCHS with her class and attended college when she felt well enough.
A special note from choir alums Kim Burrows (’95) & Josh Wolff (’94).......
As high school students, many of us didn’t realize it then, but choir made a difference not just to us, but to the many people we reached. Whether it was putting a smile on someone’s face during a show, or offering a bit of kindness on a service project, or reminding people that there is goodness in this world and today’s youth can be a source of that goodness; in choir we inspired people in more ways than we can know. We remember Sara as the bubbly teenager who stayed up all night on our train ride to Florida because she was so excited to finally be healthy enough to go on tour. Sara appreciated her time on tour perhaps more than any of us, and we sometimes wish that we had savored every moment as she did. If we could, we’d tell every member of the Westminster Choir about Sara and about how to enjoy their time on tour and appreciate the privilege they have been granted. But if they are anything like we were, they won’t understand what an opportunity they have until it’s far behind them. What we can do is help make that opportunity a reality for as many young people as possible. And you can help.
Since it was established in Sara’s memory in 1998, this memorial fund has played a major role in providing scholarships for choir members studying music, tour financial assistance and other special youth choir related activities. If you wish to contribute to the fund, you may send your donations to the church office at The First Presbyterian Church at Caldwell, 326 Bloomfield Avenue, Caldwell, NJ 07006 or go to the church website, www.firstprescaldwell.org. Please designate your contributions for The Sara Jane Hussey Memorial Fund. Thank you!