Sarah Louise Neff's Obituary
Sarah Louise Neff (née Richner) of Palm Coast, Florida, formerly of Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, went to meet her Lord on May 26, 2024. She was born in Curtain Township, PA on Feb. 16, 1937 to the late Clair and Hazel (née Chapman) Richner. Sarah was united in marriage to Paul H. Neff on Dec. 18, 1960. He preceded her in death on Oct. 31, 2023.
She was a graduate of Bellefonte High School and over the years worked a variety of jobs and professions, including waitress at the Corner Room in State College serving Penn State football players, licensed practical nurse at a nursing home and hospital, nursery gardener, secretary for a plumbing business, census taker, school cafeteria cook, realtor, school office and audio/visual department aide, and mail carrier. She also volunteered at several churches and the Faith Center in Bellefonte. Her compassion for others started in her youth, when she helped raise her younger siblings after her mother passed. After marriage, she willingly moved with her family several times over the years for Paul’s job changes and relocations. His jobs also allowed them the opportunity to travel worldwide. Before retirement, Paul and Sarah owned and operated a Victorian bed and breakfast in Bellefonte, where they enjoyed sharing their home and hospitality with others.
She is survived by her three children: Corine Neff (Chris Petriccione) from Connecticut, Zena Neff (Thomas Powell), John Neff (Laureen) and their three sons Christian John (CJ), Matthew Paul, and Brenden Daniel from FL. She is also survived by sisters Dora Lucas and Sharon Richner, and brothers Herbert (Nancy), Neil (Betty), and Ben (Pat) of PA, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by brothers Ralph, Doyle, Harold, Norman, Walt, and Don, and sisters Cecelia Sheasley, Beryl Lyons, Marilyn Boone, and Cora Fryer.
She was a woman of unwavering faith, and a devoted member of the Faith United Methodist Church in Bellefonte and most recently the First Baptist Church of Bunnell, FL. She loved singing harmony to hymns and volunteered for several church mission trips throughout the US over the years. She is remembered for her cheerful disposition with whistling and yodeling, kindheartedness to others, being a gracious hostess, keeping her home spick-and-span and her windows spotless, baking “scrumptious” Christmas cookies, fruitcake and apple dumplings, and her love of nature, plants birds, gardening, canning produce, knitting, embroidery, crafting, and frequenting Centre Hall Grange Fair and her large family reunions.
Interment will be at the Jacksonville National cemetery alongside her loving spouse. A celebration of life is planned for August 16, 2024 at the Faith United Methodist Church in Bellefonte, PA for Paul and Sarah Neff. Visitation is 10:00-11:00 am with services at 11:00, followed by a light lunch. Paul transitioned to heaven on October 31, 2023 and Sarah on May 26, 2024. They are no longer suffering and are reunited and enjoying the eternal afterlife promised by our heavenly Father. All are invited to come. Please feel free to share a few favorite stories or memories. Let's enjoy a reunion in their honor until we see them again. Online thoughts, memories, and condolences can be made at https://www.heritageflagler.com/obituaries/Sarah-Neff-3/#!/TributeWall. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory can be made to First Baptist Church of Bunnell, Florida (https://www.fbcbunnell.org/) or Faith United Methodist Church of Bellefonte, Pennsylvania (https://bellefontefaith.com/).
Heritage Funeral and Cremation Service of Bunnell, FL is assisting the family with arrangements. www.HeritageFlagler.com
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