Sara Emrie

Sara Emrie, 1944-2019

Sara Jane Brown Emrie was born Oct. 24, 1944 in Dodge City, Kan. She died Nov. 21 after a difficult bout with leukemia.

The daughter of C. Rundell Brown and Ruth E. Brown, Sara grew up in tiny Ford, Kan., near the Arkansas River. She went through elementary and high school and attended Kansas State Teachers College for two years before moving to Los Angeles, Calif., "to seek fame and fortune as an actress." She took her grandfather's surname: Emrie.

In LA, Sara was married to Max Palevsky, from 1969-1971. In 1975, she moved to New York City, where she continued to pursue her passion for the stage. Like most actors, she worked temporary jobs that gave her the flexibility to audition and act.

She was a graduate of The New Seminary in New York, an interfaith school for women that supports academic pursuit consistent with their values and way of life. While living in New York, Sara was also involved in several faith traditions, including Religious Science and Unity churches.

Her primary spiritual practice was through A Course In Miracles (ACIM), a self-study program designed to awaken the student to the truth of oneness with God and Love. Sara was ordained at St. John the Divine Church in New York City. The Rev. Sara loved to lead spiritual workshops and wedding ceremonies.

In 1998 Sara adopted her son Manny, born in Guatemala. In 2002, they moved to Denver, where she was active in the Unity church and, later, First Universalist Church of Denver. Manny is a graduate of Cherry Creek High School and is currently a senior at Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction.

Sara had a deep heart for social and political activism. Whether speaking out for women's rights, gun violence prevention and race relations, or standing with Women in Black, Sara was a vocal advocate for a more peaceful world. And she used her beautiful soprano voice to sing at the bedsides of those getting ready to cross life's threshold as a member of the Mile High Threshold Singers.

In recent years, she gave out food samples at Costco, which she considered a ministry. Everywhere she went, Sara gathered a community of loving and supportive friends, whether at Costco, church or with her singing sisters.

Sara is survived by her son, Manny Emrie, her brother, Rundell Brown and sister-in-law Barbara Snook of Denver, and mourned by many loving friends and relatives.