SARA A. FITZGERALD TOBIAS

Longtime Avon Park resident Sara Tobias passed away surrounded by family at her home early Wednesday morning, Sept. 11. She was visited often in recent months by the many pastors in the area, close friends, and family.

Mrs. Tobias was born May 10, 1927, in Chicago, the daughter of John D. Fitzgerald and Lois May Velde of Western Springs, Illinois. She received her degree from Albion College in Michigan.

Her marriage to fellow graduate Richard A. Tobias, of Flint, took place in the home of her parents Oct. 23, 1948. Mr. Tobias was a teacher, engineer, and prominent school administrator. Together they raised their family in the Northeastern corner of Michigan.

Surviving are the following children: Leslie A. Fitzgerald of Huntingburg, Indiana; Dean A. Tobias of Traverse City; Mary R. Prevost of Grand Rapids; Carl A. Tobias of Northbrook, Illinois; and James F. Tobias of Deltona, Fla.; six grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and a sister-in-law Nancy Fitzgerald Agnew of Northport. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, the Rev. Jack Fitzgerald of Duluth, Minnesota, in 1985, and her husband Richard in 2006.

Sara’s gracious manner, sincere kindness, and infectious laughter were hallmarks to all her friends and family. She was closely involved with her family, and loved thrift shopping, bicycling around town, quilting, baking, tending to her three doll houses, the arts, fishing, swimming, and walking the beaches with her family.

Throughout her life Sara was an active member of many churches in Alpena, Harrisville, Spruce, and Pinconning, as well as the Congregational Church and Church of the Nazarene in Avon Park, Florida, serving and sharing with all an open heart, a ready smile and Christian fellowship. She was a 20-plus-year member and resident of the Avon Park Holiness Camp.

A memorial service will be held at a date to be determined and announced by her family through the Church and the Camp. The Tobias family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude for surrounding Sara and all of us with prayers and kindness.