Bit of Ivory

Sarah Ann Birkinshaw

Sarah Ann
Birkinshaw, a lifelong sufferer of Wolfram Syndrome, has the unique
ability to lift people. She was recognized as the Most Inspirational
volunteer at a Jordan Valley School where she assisted in the care of
severely handi-capped children. She is also a recipient of the Young
Womanhood award. She was a popular public inspirational speaker to
youth and professional groups in the area. She was a member of the
Acapella Choir. She was selected by her peers as the recipient of the
Crest Award , presented annually by the Senior class to their classmate
whom they find most outstanding. There are many who cherish the afghan
blanket made especially for them by Sarah with her constantly busy
hands. She was also selected to speak at the graduation ceremonies of
her Senior class at Murray High wherein she was greeted by a standing
ovation both prior to and following her remarks. Blessed with many
friends her days following graduation are filled with visits, cards and
letters. Her severe complications with blindness, and other physical
ailments only served as a lever to bless and strengthen others. She
bore her burdens with grace and courage. She was born on April 3, 1980
in Idaho Falls, Idaho and died on September 2, 2002 at 1:46 p.m. at her
home in Murray, Utah. She is survived by her grandparents, Clyde and
Louise Larsen, Murray, parents, Robert and Lonnie Birkinshaw, her
sisters Jennie Towery (Jason), Park City, Rebecca Allen (Robert),
Logan, Julia, Cedar City, her brothers: Bradley, Daniel and Andrew. She
also has many aunts, uncles and cousins who have been an important part
of her life. A viewing will be held in her honor at the Jenkins Soffe
Mortuary on 4760 South State Street in Murray from 6 until 8 p.m. on
Thursday, September 5th. An additional viewing will be held at 10:00
a.m. followed by the funeral at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 6,
2002. The funeral will be held at 932 West Greenoaks Drive, Murray,
Utah. Interment will be in the Elysian Gardens Cemetery.
Sarah was my classmate, and she will be missed greatly. She was born
with a genetic disease called Wolfram’s Syndrome, which is always
fatal, usually in the early twenties. Of the eight children in her
family, 5 have been diagnosed with the disease, and her older brother
Robbie died before her. It causes the body to develop both Type I and
Type II diabetes, as well as deafness and blindness. When I first met
her at the age of 15, she was already legally blind, and could only see
light and dark. Later on she had an insulin pump, but with both types
of diabetes, her body couldn’t metabolize even the extra insulin very
well, so her energy levels were very low. Sarah also developed
epillepsy as a result of her seizures. Despite all this, she was one of
the most happy and optimistic people I knew. She was a wonderful
inspiration to me, and she will be very much missed.
Good-bye, Sarah. I’ll see you in heaven.