Sarah Salyer

Today, we celebrate the life of Sarah Salyer, lovingly known as “Birch” - a woman whose greatest legacy was her family.

Throughout her life, she filled many roles: daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She carried each one with love, strength, and an unwavering sense of priority—family always came first. If you were part of her family, you never had to wonder where you stood. And if she had an opinion, you heard it—plainly and honestly.

She had a candid personality: direct, genuine, and sincere. She loved to laugh, to have fun, and to enjoy life—especially when surrounded by the people she loved most.

She loved to go camping and was always the “Mom” willing to take us swimming, bike riding,or pick up a ball and glove to play pitch and catch. She loved playing croquet and had a remarkable way of transforming it into something closer to a full-contact sport, subtly adjusting the rules to her advantage every time. However, things became serious in late summer when half runner beans needed to be picked, cleaned, and broken. It was all hands-on deck, and it didn’t matter if you were family or just visiting—you were put to work.

Along with these wonderful qualities, she had a few memorable quirks. Mom believed expiration dates were merely “suggestions.” She was certain she knew what you liked to eat—even if you were standing there insisting you did not like it. And she never missed a chance to correct anyone who mispronounced our last name; letting it slide was simply not an option.

Behind the humor was a heart that showed up every single time. She comforted, encouraged, and defended the people she loved—sometimes loudly, sometimes stubbornly, but always completely. She gave freely and never asked for anything in return, except perhaps leftovers to take home.

She was preceded in death by her father, Barton Patrick; her mother, Easter Patrick; her eight brothers Barton Jr., Kash, Burns, Henry, Price, Chester, and James; and her three sisters Lora Moore, Lou Gullett, and Lena Gregory. Today, we take comfort in knowing she is reunited with those who went before her and helped shape the woman we loved.

She is survived by her husband of 68 years, Verne Salyer; her sons Steve (Crystal) and Donald (Jill); her grandchildren Matthew (Emily), Heather Pargeon (Kevin), Jennifer Woodruff (KC), Danielle Taylor, Alexandra VanWey (Stone), and Tyler (Zoe); and her great-grandchildren Conner, Collin, Logan, Dean, and Daxton—who carry her legacy forward.

Above all, she taught us to find joy in ordinary days, to laugh at small frustrations, and to always bring more to a family gathering than we take home.

So today, we don’t just remember that she lived - we remember how she lived: fully, honestly, and with a sparkle that made life lighter for all of us.

Criss Wagner Hoskinson Funeral and Cremation Service is honored to care for Sarah and her family during this time of need.