Obituary for Sarah Hope Moulton
Sarah Hope Moulton, cherished daughter of Helen Faith Moulton and the late Donald Chute Moulton, died peacefully on December 20, 2022. She was the beloved sister of Karen Ann Moulton, Margaret Moulton Bannick, and the late Michael Earl Moulton. Sarah was also the dear step daughter of Ronald E. Keech, and step sister of Michael E. Keech and Shari K. Innerst as well as the dear stepdaughter of Gretchen Wittenborg and step sister of Alice and Julie Gearhart. Sarah was blessed to have many devoted nephews, nieces and cousins as well as wonderful friends.
Sarah was born in South Weymouth on July 18, 1962, and was diagnosed at that time with Down Syndrome which she preferred to call Up Syndrome. When she was still very young, a well-meaning and prominent Boston pediatrician recommended that she be institutionalized so that her three siblings would not lack the proper amount of love and attention from her parents. That recommendation was never even considered, and Sarah thrived on the love and support of her immediate and extended family for the rest of her life.
She attended public school in Hingham and later Cambridge where she graduated from Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School in 1984, following which she was the first student with Down Syndrome ever to be accepted at Lesley College's Threshold Program "Toward Independence". This program prepared special needs students for meaningful and rewarding employment and offered coping skills for everyday living. Sarah loved dormitory life and the special friendship of her roommate and graduated with the Class of 1986 in a wonderfully moving ceremony.
She was asked on more than one occasion to be a speaker at the annual Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress and her family was so very proud when she won so many medals as a yearly participant at the Special Olympics in Swimming and Track and Field Events. For almost thirty years, she resided in a residence in Washington Square in Brookline with 9 other very special young working adults and commuted by streetcar, subway and bus to her employment at Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries in downtown Boston. This home was created by Specialized Housing, Inc. which now has many such wonderful opportunities throughout New England. While living here, Sarah participated in volunteering for several Boston area nonprofit agencies such as Walk for Hunger and The Samaritans and, while still living at home in Cambridge, Mount Auburn Hospital and Cambridge Homes.
In 2015, following a diagnosis of Early Alzheimer's and some health issues, Sarah moved to a small and wonderful residence in Waltham under the auspices of Resource for Human Development who provided a happy and fulfilling next chapter in her life. She enjoyed interacting with her four housemates, attending her day programs and many other rewarding activities and, as always, frequent visits from devoted family and friends. As in the past, she was also so very fortunate to benefit from the care of such a dedicated staff.
Sarah loved! She loved her immediate and extended family, her teachers, her housemates, her boyfriends, her co-workers, her college roommate, and her caregivers. Sarah loved to swim in the Cape Cod waters off Chatham, especially Morris Island and the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge. She loved her family's pets and would tell you her favorites' names were Periwinkle, Beauregard, Wilhelmina, Marble Gale, Pussy Willow and Jazz. She loved 2-pound lobsters, steamed and split for her by the Chatham Fish & Lobster, Diet Pepsi, hamburgers, and hot fudge sundaes with lots of whipped cream. She also loved to sit at her desk, drawing, coloring and writing.
Family and friends are welcome to gather together on Saturday FEBRUARY 11th at 12noon for a celebration of Sarah's wonderful and inspirational life and luncheon reception at the Oakley Country Club, 410 Belmont Street in WATERTOWN.
In lieu of flowers, should you wish to make a donation in memory of Sarah Hope Moulton, please consider:
Resources for Human Development (RHD),
c/o Tong Olee, Residential Supervisor
70 Colby Street
Medford, MA 02155
Specialized Housing, Inc.
c/o David Wizansky, Co-Founder
2000 Commonwealth Avenue
Auburndale, MA 02466
The Brasco & Sons Memorial Chapels of WALTHAM is assisting the family with arrangements.
Sarah was born in South Weymouth on July 18, 1962, and was diagnosed at that time with Down Syndrome which she preferred to call Up Syndrome. When she was still very young, a well-meaning and prominent Boston pediatrician recommended that she be institutionalized so that her three siblings would not lack the proper amount of love and attention from her parents. That recommendation was never even considered, and Sarah thrived on the love and support of her immediate and extended family for the rest of her life.
She attended public school in Hingham and later Cambridge where she graduated from Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School in 1984, following which she was the first student with Down Syndrome ever to be accepted at Lesley College's Threshold Program "Toward Independence". This program prepared special needs students for meaningful and rewarding employment and offered coping skills for everyday living. Sarah loved dormitory life and the special friendship of her roommate and graduated with the Class of 1986 in a wonderfully moving ceremony.
She was asked on more than one occasion to be a speaker at the annual Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress and her family was so very proud when she won so many medals as a yearly participant at the Special Olympics in Swimming and Track and Field Events. For almost thirty years, she resided in a residence in Washington Square in Brookline with 9 other very special young working adults and commuted by streetcar, subway and bus to her employment at Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries in downtown Boston. This home was created by Specialized Housing, Inc. which now has many such wonderful opportunities throughout New England. While living here, Sarah participated in volunteering for several Boston area nonprofit agencies such as Walk for Hunger and The Samaritans and, while still living at home in Cambridge, Mount Auburn Hospital and Cambridge Homes.
In 2015, following a diagnosis of Early Alzheimer's and some health issues, Sarah moved to a small and wonderful residence in Waltham under the auspices of Resource for Human Development who provided a happy and fulfilling next chapter in her life. She enjoyed interacting with her four housemates, attending her day programs and many other rewarding activities and, as always, frequent visits from devoted family and friends. As in the past, she was also so very fortunate to benefit from the care of such a dedicated staff.
Sarah loved! She loved her immediate and extended family, her teachers, her housemates, her boyfriends, her co-workers, her college roommate, and her caregivers. Sarah loved to swim in the Cape Cod waters off Chatham, especially Morris Island and the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge. She loved her family's pets and would tell you her favorites' names were Periwinkle, Beauregard, Wilhelmina, Marble Gale, Pussy Willow and Jazz. She loved 2-pound lobsters, steamed and split for her by the Chatham Fish & Lobster, Diet Pepsi, hamburgers, and hot fudge sundaes with lots of whipped cream. She also loved to sit at her desk, drawing, coloring and writing.
Family and friends are welcome to gather together on Saturday FEBRUARY 11th at 12noon for a celebration of Sarah's wonderful and inspirational life and luncheon reception at the Oakley Country Club, 410 Belmont Street in WATERTOWN.
In lieu of flowers, should you wish to make a donation in memory of Sarah Hope Moulton, please consider:
Resources for Human Development (RHD),
c/o Tong Olee, Residential Supervisor
70 Colby Street
Medford, MA 02155
Specialized Housing, Inc.
c/o David Wizansky, Co-Founder
2000 Commonwealth Avenue
Auburndale, MA 02466
The Brasco & Sons Memorial Chapels of WALTHAM is assisting the family with arrangements.