Sara Berger Rees was a woman of southern grace and hospitality. She passed peacefully from this life April 7th in Happy Valley Oregon. Born on January 19th, 1918 in Pollard’s Bend, Alabama, she grew up on the family farm where her siblings, George and Milton, first plowed their fields behind a mule. Sara showed promise in school and was given a chance to work her way through Alabama College in Montevallo where she received a degree in Education. After a brief teaching career, she became a secretary for the army at Camp Seibert Alabama. One afternoon at the camp, she noticed a left handed Sargent pitching in a softball game; and he noticed her. He told a friend, “I could marry a girl like that.” And so he did. Sara married Howard Berger June 16, 1946 and moved to his home town of Portland Oregon. They were married 46 years and had two children; Connie and Gary. In 1996 Sara married a second time to Jim Rees, a family friend of 50 years. Though she grew up in the segregated South, she knew no prejudice. She never spoke ill of anyone and she rarely sat down before bed time.
Sara led a full life. She was a traditional wife and mother, but was also active in organizations including the Business and Professional Women’s club, Sandy Women’s club, Sandy Garden Club, the Community Presbyterian Church and many others. But Sara was best known around the area because she was a frequent substitute teacher in area schools for over 48 years. She frequently met families in the store with multiple generations who had been her students. She is survived by her daughter Connie Thomas of Happy Valley, her son Gary Berger of Portland, her grandchildren Rebekah Hardy, Spencer Berger and Aidan Berger, and her great-grandchildren Dean and Jocelyn Hardy. She loved flowers, entertaining, bright colors and jewelry. She also loved and supported her family without question or complaint every day of her life. She was a gift to us and we will always be grateful to her.