Obituary

After a long period of declining health, Sarah Maeck died on December 2nd, 2020 at Wellington Place in Decorah, Iowa where she had been a resident for several years.

Sarah was born on August 23, 1948 in Burlington, VT to John Van Sicklen Maeck and Doris Wehrle Maeck. She attended Burlington schools until the age of 15 when the family moved to a farm near Lake Champlain on the Shelburne, Charlotte line. Sarah entered Champlain Valley Union High School as a member of it’s inaugural Sophomore class, graduating in 1966.

After briefly attending Colby Junior College in New Hampshire Sarah returned to Vermont and married Albert “Skip” Williams with whom she had two children, Christopher and Michele. Sarah devoted the ensuing years to providing a home for her family. After her divorce Sarah continued to reside and work in the Burlington area to give love and support to her children and grandchildren.

While in middle age Sarah refocused on her education and earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from Trinity College in Burlington. As an outgrowth of that training Sarah also became a certified riding therapy teacher in the State of Massachusetts.

Horses and equestrian life were a singular preoccupation and skill that Sarah practiced throughout her entire life. She was encouraged in this activity by her parents while growing up on the family farm, the South Forty, in Shelburne. Sarah had a natural and intuitive relationship with horses and was both a pleasure and competitive rider. She continued to seat horses until the summer before her passing as a member of a therapy riding group in N.E. Iowa.

Sarah Maeck leaves her son Christopher Williams, her daughter Michele Williams Hudson and their families including many beloved grandchildren. She also leaves her brother Steven and his wife Karleen of Burr Oak, Iowa. She was predeceased by her parents Doris and John.

People who knew and remember Sarah and recall her life long love of horses are encouraged to make a gift in her name to the therapy riding, non profit, Thunder Rode located at 1957 Meadowlark Rd, Decorah, IA 52101.