Sarah Letitia Wallace

Sarah is survived by her husband Ivan Neaigus, her three daughters Gail Kathleen Wallace Wolk, Jamie Ann Wallace Sulla, and Tammy Jean Wallace, her grandchildren James Wolk and Matthew Wolk, and her sister Peggy Rosica.

Sarah was born 1931 in La Jolla, California, and was raised in Santa Monica California. Her childhood and formative years were very influenced by the Southern California beach environment. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree at USC Berkley California and worked as a draughts woman for GTE and MacDonnell Douglas Aircraft. She raised her family in a house by the ocean at Las Flores “Dog Beach Malibu, California. Sarah and her first husband James Wallace, who was an MD, were greatly influenced by the changing conscience of the 60s. Dr. Wallace passed in 1972. She adjusted to her new role as a single parent using her love and creative awareness to provide for her family needs. Sarah’s ongoing love of the ocean, and as an ardent beachcomber, continued to influence treasured family memories, and over the years she expanded a collection of rocks, shells, driftwood, and ocean artifacts.

Sarah met Ivan in 1982 and they moved to Langley, Washington in 1984. Sharing her new life with Ivan Neaigus, together as artists, they became a part of the Whidbey Island art community. During this period Sarah produced a substantial body of work. In 1994 she was given first prize at the Choochokam Festival of the Arts (Sea Tree 1), and participated in various shows and Art Tours.

In December of 2001 Sarah was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Ivan and Sarah began to deal with the challenge of their situation. Ivan tried various ways in creating quality time for Sarah. In November 2006 with the input of the studies by Dr. Cameron J. Camp, Ivan re-organized Sarah’s studio into a shared working space and Sarah began a new body of work named “Transitions”. Unlike her previous work of stylized realism, her new work is totally abstract imagery. The work numbering 1-32 representing the sequence of execution, and numerous editorials can be seen on the web site www.art-in-transition. Twelve more works were done beyond the thirty two. The studio became a refuge space for Sarah, and it made a major impact on her life. As mentor-caregiver Ivan observed the creative process as a healing tool for those afflicted with Alzheimer’s or any such related problems, and he intends to share his experience to help others in dealing with the disease.

Since 2001 Sarah has been participating in “Time Together” a respite program at the Bayview Senior Center in Langley, WA. The program was an important part of Sarah’s life and helped tremendously in giving her a social connection. Sarah was known as the dancer. Her spontaneity and spirit always brought joy to all, and she will be surely missed. Her work and her being will always be with us.

The community and the family are invited to a celebration for Sarah and her work at the Senior Center Saturday October 6th. 12.00-4.00pm.