Sarah Istenes

Sarah Ann (Himes) Istenes passed away on May 25, 2024, at age 71 in her Birdsboro PA home with her partner Richard Miller by her side after a courageous fight against cancer.  

She was born in Montgomery County PA to Walter and Lillian Himes and was one of 11 children.  She married Thaddeus (Terry) J. Istenes at age 21 and had two children, Lisa (Istenes) Giancaterino and Todd Istenes, along with two grandchildren Nicholas and Dylan Giancaterino.  She and Terry were married for 32 years, after his passing she met Richard Miller and they spent the last 17 years together.  

Sarah was a stay-at-home mother for many years during which time she also watched other people's children to help out.   She spent most of her career as a Certified Nurse’s Aide working in a nursing home.  She enjoyed spending time with all her residents and often became close friends with them, so much so that she would often refuse to call off from work despite being injured.   After she retired, she was able to spend more time cooking new recipes and teaching her signature dishes to her grandkids (the mac and cheese and Spanish rice will live on). She and Richard loved travelling to the big state fairs such as Bloomsburg and York where she enjoyed the food, (never passing up a good sausage sandwich no matter how long the line was), perusing the vendors and listening to the live country music.  She also enjoyed visiting local flea markets and spending time in Ocean City and Assateague Island Maryland.  At home she had a passion for birds, flowers, and her dog Daisy (who joined her in heaven just a few days later). She had a close-knit family and good friends in her neighborhood, everyone who knew her, loved her. Her outlook on life was simple, don’t let anything bring you down, not even cancer.  She spoke her mind (whether you liked it or not), was strong and independent, loved her family and friends and had the type of positive carefree attitude that we should all be so lucky to have.  She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Sarah is survived by her Partner Richard Miller, her daughter Lisa (Istenes) Giancaterino, her husband Benjamin Giancaterino Jr. and their children Nicholas and Dylan Giancaterino.  Her son Todd Istenes and his wife Laura Istenes, along with sisters Lillian Kelley, Esther Garcia, Rosemary Himes and Gloria Campos.  

She was pre-deceased by her husband Terry Istenes, her father Walter Himes, mother Lillian Wagner Himes, brothers Walter Himes Jr, Elmer Himes, Robert Himes, Joseph Himes, along with her sisters Clara Rodriguez, and Karen Finer.

There will not be a funeral/memorial service as this was her wish.

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