Sara Lynn Hughes

Sara was born in Royal Oak, Michigan on September 7, 1976.

Sara participated in many Special Olympics competitions, including gymnastics, cheerleading, bowling, swimming, and golf. She won many medals throughout the years, but it was never about the medals for Sara. She just loved participating and being with her teammates.

In 2010, Sara was honored to receive the Paula Rudow award for Most Outstanding Special Olympian from Mesa Association of Sports for the Disabled.

In 2014, she was chosen to represent Arizona in the 2014 USA games in New Jersey as a member of the golf team. Sara and her partner, Pat, took first place and received a gold medal.

Sara spent her elementary and junior high years in Mesa schools. Her family moved to Colorado when she was a freshman. She graduated from Highlands Ranch High School, Highlands Ranch, CO in 1996.

After graduation, she moved to southern California with her family where she attended a transition program at Saddleback College.

Throughout her life, Sara made so many good friends and formed lifelong relationships. She and her boyfriend, Bobby, shared a love that lasted until her passing. He brought her great happiness.

Sara loved life and saw the world for what it was to her – a wonderful happy place. She didn’t try to change things or people. Sara just spread her love and joy wherever she went and touched many lives along the way.

Sara is survived by her mom, Linda Hughes. Her dad, John Hughes, predeceased her. She is also predeceased by her aunt, Judi Goldstein and her grandparents. She is survived by her uncles, Jeff (Robin) Hughes, Gil (Cherie) Tufts, and Bradley (Linda) Hughes. She is also survived by her cousins, Amy, Katie, Doug, Joe, Michael, Donovan, Brad, Brian, Marlon, Christopher, Kole, and Paisley.

A Celebration of Life service is planned for Tuesday, June 27 at Mariposa Gardens Funeral Home in Mesa.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Lara’s House Foundation, 10421 E. McKellips, Mesa, AZ 85207. At Lara’s House, Sara was loved and cared for with such compassion and respect.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mariposagardens.com for the Hughes family.