Sara Jane Quinn Steinert departed this earthly life on March 14, 2024, at the age of 91.
Born in 1932, she was the daughter of the late John Warren (Jake) and Ethel Quinn and was the older sister of the late Betsy Ann Rasberry. Sara and Betsy were devoted sisters who named their daughters after each other.
As a child, she grew up in North and South Carolina towns as her family moved with the mills. She skipped her senior year of high school. She attended Converse College, at the time a woman’s college in South Carolina. However, her rebel spirit kicked in and to the chagrin of her Clemson graduate father, she transferred to the University of South Carolina, majoring in journalism.
While teaching high school in Fayetteville, North Carolina, she met Don Steinert, a young Air Force pilot with a Jaguar, who stole her heart and was her husband for 64 years prior to his passing in 2020. After marrying in August,1954, they immediately moved to France for one of Don’s military deployments. They were stationed in France, Okinawa, Nashville, TN and New Jersey. Upon Don’s retirement from the Air Force, they lived in Boone, Shelby and Sanford, where they lived for 42 years on Holiday Lake and were members of Saint Luke United Methodist Church.
Sara led a life of uncommon service. She loved devoting her time to serving her family, her community, her church, and those in need. Serving her family in the early years, she managed the home front when Don was on numerous deployments and training missions around the world. Sara also taught for many years in elementary schools. Later in life she acted as nanny to two of her grandchildren traveling daily from Sanford to Cary to take care of them. She also cherished her time in Charleston, South Carolina with her grandson and later his children. When her mother was no longer able to live by herself, she came to live with Sara and Don until her passing.
A servant to those in need. She faithfully visited the elderly, took church to friends in rest homes, and received a Food Bank award for exemplary volunteer service. Don and Sara chose to spend their 50th anniversary providing hospice respite care. Sara was an avid gardener and loved to take her flowers to countless people to brighten their day.
In addition to gardening, Sara loved playing bridge with her many friends, golfing, playing piano, serving others, and enjoying time with family.
Sara is survived by her two children: Lee Steinert (Diana) of Goose Creek, South Carolina and Betsy Zurl (Karl) of Surf City, North Carolina, her grandchildren, Jake Steinert (Melly) and their four children, all of Goose Creek, South Carolina, Chelsea Zurl of Wake Forest and Hayden Zurl of Baltimore, Maryland.
Her family appreciates the faithful cards from St. Luke United Methodist Church and visits from our local church. Don and Sara appreciated special friends, Bob and Buena, Melanie, Amie and Janet. We wouldn’t have made it without you. We also appreciate the kindness from every department member at the Kempton Assisted Living in Jacksonville, North Carolina. Truly, words cannot express how much we appreciate the incredible relationship we have had with Gentiva Hospice of Swansboro, North Carolina, (to include Kelli, Corey, Courtney, Nidria, Jenn, June and junior members Eryka and Maxine.) Finally, Sara shunned attention, always focusing on others, and in keeping with that, she requested no funeral arrangements. Please honor her with an act of uncommon service.
To express condolences or to share a memory, please do so below.
Coastal Cremations of Jacksonville is serving the family.
2 Comments
sara will surely be missed at the kempton of jacksonville she brought a smile to my face & loved sitting in her green chairs watching the golden girls with her when she couldn’t sleep as to family and her daughter i had met my prayers are with y’all, the lord has her now ❤️ – tianna CNA
Thank you for the beautiful tribute to a life well lived. I’m honored to be Aunt Jane’s namesake and appreciate her servant’s heart. I still miss her annual birthday calls, as we shared that day as well. Peace to you all. (Sarah) Quinn Rasberry Davidson
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