Sarah Barlow

In the wee morning running hours reminiscent of her days as a distance runner Sarah Salabye Barlow passed into eternity August 19, 2021. She valiantly fought dementia and other cognitive related diseases for nearly 10 years. Sarah loved and accepted everyone and was loved by all who knew her just as she loved to them.

She was born March 16, 1945 to Jimmy Salabye and Lena Curley. She was the third of 13 children. She graduated from Ganado High School in Arizona and later would serve an LDS mission to her people on the Navajo reservation. She loved her language and culture. In 1977 she graduated from BYU with a degree in Elementary Education.

In 1989 she was the first person authorized by the state of Utah to teach Navajo language and culture in a high school setting. In addition to her teaching duties she also coached Cross Country and led her teams to four consecutive state championships. Before beginning her work as a professional teacher she was a school bus driver. In later years she would teach early morning seminary in the Eureka community.

She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Ron; her children Janet Waldron (Chad), Alan (Heidi), Ruth Barlow Mathusek (Jared), Dianna(Jon), Douglas (Anna), Sarah (Patrick), and Holly Billie, and fourteen foster children. Her 28 grandchildren were the love of her life. She was preceded in death by twin daughters, Karol and Karen; her father Jimmy Salabye, mother Lena C. Shirley, her brothers Norman, James, and Leroy, and her sister Roslita.

She was famous for sharing her hugs with anyone in need of them. She was known as “Mom” by many of her students and runners.

The family is asking that in lieu of flowers that people consider donating to one of her favorite charities; Primary Children’s Hospital, The Utah Food Bank, and the Tintic School District Scholarship Foundation shown in the link below.

Donate and Give Gifts

Funeral services will be held Thursday August 26, 2021 at 11:00 am at the Eureka LDS Church, 70 East Main. Friends may greet family Wednesday August 25th from 6:00 - 8:00 pm at Brown Family Mortuary 66 South 300 East Santaquin, and also Thursday from 9:30 - 10:30 am prior to services. Interment, Eureka Cemetery.