Obituary

Sara Louise Catey LaVilla
January 22, 1939 - June 11, 2019

Sara Louise Catey LaVilla

Sara Louise Catey LaVilla
Jan 22, 1939 - Jun 11, 2019

Sara Louise Catey LaVilla
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On Tuesday, June 11, 2019, Sara Louise Catey LaVilla of Seattle, Washington passed from this life. She was born to Aurith and Nettie Catey, both deceased, in Winchester, Indiana, on January 22, 1939.
After graduating from Winchester High School, Sara studied at Bethany College in Bethany, West Virginia. She earned a B.S. degree in chemistry in 1961. She then moved to the Washington, D.C. area where she took graduate degree courses in chemistry at the University of Maryland before working as a chemist for a few years at the National Bureau of Standards, then in Washington, D.C. There, she met and married her husband, Robert.
For most of the next four decades, Sara lived in Gaithersburg and Montgomery Village, Maryland. She worked primarily as a homemaker. As well, Sara was an active volunteer and participant in various community organizations, including the League of Women Voters, YWCA-Y-Wives, various PTAs, Washington Apple Pi Computer Club, Women of Vision and Action, Montgomery Village Citizens Coalition, Mutual Appreciation Investment Club, and Democratic Party at the precinct level. She also studied at several colleges in the Washington, D.C. area, further supplementing her education. In the early 1980s, Sara trail-blazed the teaching of computer coding to several groups of ambitious young students. Later, she, along with Robert, volunteered as mathematics tutors for elementary and junior high school students. Toward the end of Robert's career, Sara enjoyed spending several summers in Uppsala, Sweden, working alongside and assisting Robert in an Uppsala University Physics Laboratory, where he was doing research.
Sara followed her daughter to the Pacific Northwest in 2005, eventually settling in Seattle, Washington. During these remaining years, Sara prioritized homemaking, exercising, exploring the regional geology, participating in community organizations, and continually learning.
Sara was the beloved wife of Robert E. LaVilla, now of Seattle, Washington and to whom she was married for almost 55 years. She is also survived by her children: Michael E. La Villa of Falls Church, Virginia and Danielle E. LaVilla of Seattle, Washington; by her brother: Charles Catey of North Port, Florida; by her sister: Martha Myers of Palestine, Texas; and by several grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Expressions of sympathy may be directed to Doctors Without Borders.

To family and friends left behind, Sara bequeaths a lifelong interest in learning, a commitment to service to the community, and a spirit of adventure and creativity.

 
 

Mary Johnson on Jul 30, 2019

Sara had beautiful eyes and a warm, friendly, contagious and gorgeous smile. Even when Sara was in high school she wore that smile and whenever I picture her beautiful face I will be blessed by her lovely smile. My cousin was a very precious and intelligent lady that I admired. My sympathy to Bob, Danielle, Michael and all of her dear family. May God comfort each of you! Love, Mary Martin Johnson

Sasha on Jun 22, 2019

One of my first memories of Sara was her explaining the words "Farmor" and "Farfar" to me, which mean "grandmother" and "grandfather" in Swedish, and putting local Democratic candidate flyers on people's doorsteps. We had our first real bonding experience when I spent a few weeks at Sara and Bob's place in Gaithersburg when I was nine during a bout of chicken pox. I remember excursions to the Smithsonian with packed sandwiches, hours spent watching American classics from Sara and Bob's comprehensive Betamax tape collection on the couch, and playing Bob's Cheasapeakopoly (accidentally ripping some of the bills) with the neighborhood kids. When I visited Sara and Bob, we would also visit Mrs. Watson, who I remember was a very close friend of Sara's. Nature and the environment were always an important priority for Sara, and we went to many community meetings, including one to protect the local goose population. It was such a joy to follow Sara's passions and hobbies throughout the years - from Native American art to the rock and mineral club, from Democratic party activism to nature conservation. Sara, we will miss you!

Sasha on Jun 22, 2019

Thelma Myers on Jun 21, 2019

Our deepest condolences to the LaVilla family and to Sara’s brother & sister. Her biography and the tributes already posted show how much of a well-rounded life Sara lived and the impressions she left in so many lives. It is no doubt that she left a legacy which will continue to live on through the lives of her children and grandchildren. So to her family she’s left behind, while Sara has passed from this life and into her eternal life in heaven, remember that you will see each other again one day. That, and all that waits for us in heaven, that we can only imagine, is so much to look forward to! May God hold each one of you in the palm of His hand and provide you with peace, comfort & strength in the days ahead.

Margot Watson on Jun 20, 2019

I second everything Sara said. Your mom was always so gracious and gentle and welcoming. She was such a wonderful, dear friend to my mom and dad. They were very kindred spirits! Having her in our lives was a real blessing.

Sara Watson on Jun 20, 2019

Sara LaVilla was one of my mother's best friends in the 1970s and 1980s, in Montgomery Village. They loved being active in Democratic politics together and taking on a whole variety of progressive causes together. They were neighbors in old Gaithersburg, then my parents moved to Montgomery Village, and my parents were so excited when the LaVillas decided to move into their MV neighborhood. Sara had such a gentle spirit. When I was a teen-ager, she was doing a study of adolescent health, and she asked to interview me. I was very willing to answer all kinds of questions because I trusted her completely! I would love to follow my child and be helpful with grandchildren as she and Bob did. Please know that many people loved your mom, and that she contributed so much good in her lifetime.

Preston and Pam Rich on Jun 19, 2019

We knew Sara and her husband during the years they lived in Montgomery Village. They were our neighbors and wonderful neighbors as well. I only became good friends with Sara when they were preparing to move to Seattle as I was asked to help with the sale of their belongings. To say Sara was organized is to say too little . She and Bob were smart and learned and they were a couple totally devoted to one another. It was a joy knowing them both. I know she lived a full , productive and happy life and that is all we can truly hope for but she will be sorely missed . With our deepest sympathy, Preston and Pam Rich

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