Sarah Harbinson Trowbridge

Trowbridge, Sarah (Harbinson)

Was born Sarah Bernice Harbinson on May 5, 1916, on a hop ranch on the River Road between Sacramento and Woodland. She passed away peacefully at her home on July 31, 2011. Sarah was preceded in death by her father and mother James George and Edith B. (Hetherington) Harbinson, her brother and sister-in-law James George Jr. and Geraldine (Pratt) Harbinson, her brother Raymond Harbinson and her daughter Nancy Anne (Trowbridge) Stewart. She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Wilbur W. Trowbridge. She is also survived by her daughter Susan (Trowbridge) Wohle and sons-in-law William E. Wohle and David Stewart, grandchildren Eric and Crystal Wohle, Heidi and Mark Souverville, great grandchildren Ryan, Kevin, William (Liam) Wohle, Mason and Claire Souverville plus many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Her father, James George Harbinson, had a great influence on her life. He was born in Ireland and came to this country along with his family. Her father and his brothers known as “Harbinson Brothers” were active in early Sacramento history in running the “Tremont Hotel and Bar” in Old Sacramento as well as having a liquor store on J Street. They later became active in farming in the Woodland, West Sacramento, Broderick, Sacramento and Wilton areas. Growing up on the River Road, Sarah traveled by train from “Harbinson Station” on the Northern Electric line to the Monument School for grammar school and also to Woodland High School. She graduated from Woodland High School in 1934. She then traveled by train to Sacramento to go to Sacramento Jr. College and graduated in 1936. After Jr. College she worked for the Sacramento City School District as a secretary. In 1941, she worked as a secretary for the director of training at Mather Air Field. It was there she met a pilot, who later became her husband. Later in life she worked as a medical transcriber.

Sarah was a people person by nature, always going out of her way to say hello or to make everyone feel comfortable. Anyone she met immediately became her friend. She loved to do crafts, sew and in her younger days dance to “Big Band” music. She also was proud of her Irish and Sacramento heritage. Sarah was very active and interested in all kinds of organizations. She was currently active in Tuesday Club. In Tuesday Club she has been the chairperson of the sewing section for several years and also in charge of many luncheon activities including being in charge of the installation and telephone committee. She received the Women of the Year of that organization in 1999 and was honored at a luncheon for Sacramento’s Persons of the Year that same year. She was active in P.T. A., when her girls were of school age. She was the P.T.A. President of Wyda Way School and received the P. T. A. Lifetime Achievement Award for Outstanding Service. She also has been secretary of the Cabinettes of Sciots Camp, a Girls Scout leader for many years and active in the Capital Cadets Baton Corp. She was the Parade Marshall of the Sciots Camp Annual Fourth of July Parade in the year 2002. Sarah is also a member of the Order of Eastern Star, Laura Lane Chapter, and was awarded a 50 year pin several years ago. Along with being active in these organizations she and her husband hosted many foreign exchange students from Sweden, Finland, Belgium, France, Brazil and Germany. She liked to travel and was always ready to see new places. She and her husband traveled to England, Scotland and Ireland to meet distant cousins.

Her warm smile and positive attitude and her can do spirit will be missed by all her family and friends. In lieu of flowers donation may be sent to Susan G. Komen Foundation, 2443 Fair Oaks Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95825, or to a charity of your choice. A Memorial Service will be held Sunday, August 28, 2011, at Harry A. Nauman and Son Land Park Funeral Chapel, 4041 Freeport Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95822, with reception following the service at Vizcaya Pavilion located at 2019 21st Street, Sacramento, CA 95818.