June 12, 1981 - May 13, 2010
Sarah Elizabeth Morton was many things to many people. She was a daughter, a sister, a niece, a cousin, a friend, a girlfriend, a teacher – she was another life lost to ovarian cancer on May 13th, 2010. In her short 28 years, she accomplished more than most people ever will because she never let her illness keep her from pushing forward and meeting her goals. Sarah was an 8th grade History teacher and truly loved her job. She was very popular amongst her students and had great compassion for them. She completed both her Master’s degree and received her National Board Certification this past fall and winter.
Sarah’s battle with cancer began when she was just 21 years old and shortly after losing her father, Robert Morton, to Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Sarah, from the start, fought this disease head on and constantly did research on forms of treatments, joined support groups and educated others about ovarian cancer.
Sarah believed in giving her time to other organizations such as Relay for Life, the Roxboro Jaycees, and the Roxboro Jr. Miss Program and through her school she and her students donated time to the Christian Help Center, reading to elementary school students, the Special Olympics and many others.
Sarah was and is an inspiration to so many in her community. So it was nothing to see her community rally in her name and form the first annual Moving it for Morton Mini-Marathon that took place two days after her passing. It was organized by her friends, family, co-workers, present and former students – so many people who had been inspired by Sarah. It was truly amazing to see all the people that came out to share such a bitter sweet day.
Sarah had a large family and many friends and loved spending time with them all. She had a great personality and had a true zest for life. During her last months there were always lots of friends and family around and lots of fun and touching stories shared by many. Sarah loved having babies and children around – they always made her smile and even when she was unresponsive to others; the children would get a smile or laugh from her. We talked, laughed and cried with her and cherished every minute of those times. Sarah told her Mother that she was happy and grateful for the life she had been given. She had met a wonderful man and had looked forward to sharing a life with him. Sarah never wasted time in trying to decide what she would be able to do based on her illness she just did whatever the day would allow her to do.
Sarah will be remembered as many things to many people – but she will live on as an inspiration for us to keep up the good fight and never give up in finding a cure for Ovarian cancer and all cancer.