Sarah was born August 29, 2015 in Provo, Utah to Nathan and Mckell McDonald, of Mapleton, and is the adored younger sister to Hannah & Camden.

Sarah was diagnosed with an ETMR brain tumor in September 2017, at 2 years old, and fought courageously to bless her loved ones with 6 more years together. Through the tireless support and advocacy of family, friends, and specialists, Sarah overcame countless hurdles in her health and defied many of the odds in her path. Sarah passed away on May 3, 2024 at the age of 8 years old.

Upon her diagnosis, “Saving Sweet Sarah” became our heartfelt prayer and warrior chant. She was saved time and time again. We saw countless miracles and felt so many answered prayers. While we have since come to know a deeper meaning to those words, we know our creed was heard. In our fight to save Sarah, her spirit saved many of us and we know she has been made whole in the arms of her safe and loving Heavenly Father.

Sarah had boundless energy and an impenetrable happiness. She was constantly moving; constantly happy. The innumerable hospital stays and accompanying scans, treatments, and ailments could not slow her down. She loved school, swimming, park-hopping, hide-and-seek, duck-duck-goose, books, balloons, and Chick-fil-A. Above all else, Sarah loved people. Strangers never stayed that way for long. She made friends immediately and kept those friendships forever. She loved her family fiercely and held a special adoration for her grandparents.

Sarah ran full speed into every greeting, making each recipient of her hugs & hello’s feel like her luckiest and most cherished friend. We are comforted to imagine her most recent greeting following suit — a sprint and squeals of delight as she was received into her Heavenly Father’s waiting arms. We miss her fierce hugs but could never forget the weight of them; a full-body embrace with her arms clasped tightly around our necks.

With Sarah, Heaven was near & the veil was thin. Angels were her constant companion; including two very special angels, Michael and Marilyn. Her cheerleaders beyond the veil have become her caretakers in the interim and we feel weightless gratitude knowing she is in good hands, with familiar friends, until we see her again.

We extend many heartfelt thanks to the endless line of loved ones & professionals who both extended Sarah’s life, and greatly improved the quality of the years we were blessed with.

Sarah was attending second grade in a special needs class at Sierra Bonita Elementary. She loved school and adored her teacher, Tami Hoopes, and her team.

Sarah was truly a light to all who knew her and we look forward to feeling enveloped by her warmth in a new way — from beyond the veil and with the knowledge that she is healed through our Savior. We will look for her familiar light in unfamiliar ways, knowing it is near — multiplied, refined, and shared with us through the prism of God’s plan.

Sarah is adored and survived by her parents, Nathan & Mckell, older siblings, Hannah and Camden; grandparents, Phil & Kim McDonald and Dave & Susan Priest; great grandmothers, Beth B. Larsen, Karen Likes, and Randi Hansen; and many uncles, aunts, cousins & extended family members. See you soon, Sweet Sarah.

Special thanks to: Dr. Trevor Memmott, Dr. Nicholas Whipple, Dr. Carol Bruggers, Dr. Erin Morales, Laura Dibble, and the oncology team, Dr. John R Kestle and the neurosurgery team, Dr. Simon Durcan and the anesthesiology team, Dave Clegg and team of respiratory therapists, Lori McBride and the Life Flight team, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, Dr. Ben Moresco with Primary Children’s palliative care team, Dr. Ryan Blankenship of Smart Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Brad Henricksen of Excel Eye Center, Tammy Bingham and the Brain Balance Team, Stone Drug Pharmacy, and wonderful RN’s and friends who have been there since Sarah’s diagnosis including Jana Burningham, Janice Southern, Annette Nielsen, Sharon Tobler, and Jaimee Peck, and Frank Lilywhite with Walker funeral home.

There will be a viewing on Friday, May 10th from 6:00-8:00pm & Saturday, May 11th from 10:00-11:45 am, both at the church of Jesus Christ located at 970 North 400 East in Mapleton, and the funeral at noon in the same location.  Interment will follow in the Springville Evergreen Cemetery.

Services will be live-streamed. To view, please return to this memorial page on Saturday morning, May 11, 2024 shortly before 11:00 a.m. and click on the link below:

Sarah Anne McDonald