May 23, 1930 – October 16, 2022
Sarah Jane (Taylor) Waitt, 92, formerly of Sheridan, passed away on Sunday morning, October 16, 2022, at the home of her daughter and son in law, Marylee and David Pound, where she had been living since May.
She was born on May 23, 1930, to Mrs. Kathryn Taylor in Cincinnati, Ohio. Her father, Odus Taylor, passed away in March, just before she was born. Her family moved to Sheridan after her birth, and she resided there until 2016 when she moved to Wellbrooke of Westfield with her husband.
She was a 1948 graduate of Sheridan High School and attended Earlham College.
On September 25, 1954, she married Dr. Paul Waitt, and together they would celebrate 66 wonderful years of marriage prior to his death on October 3, 2020.
Sarah Jane was a full-time mother and homemaker. Her six children kept her busy as she shuttled them to activities, ball practices, and games. Her car was always in motion.
She began a second life after the graduation of her youngest in 1983. She was a birthright Quaker and a member of the Sheridan Friends Meeting. She served in the Western Yearly Meeting and would ultimately become president of their United Society of Friends Women – a position that afforded her the opportunity to travel throughout the Midwest to serve in that capacity. She faithfully served on the Board of Directors for both Earlham College and Conner Prairie during that time as well.
She traveled with her husband to China, Russia, and Germany, as well as mission trips to Kenya and Palestine. She also enjoyed the years she was able to winter in Naples, Fla.
Sarah Jane loved holidays – especially Christmas. Deck the halls wasn’t just a song to her. She liked nothing better than to have all the “troops” home with her for a party, or just a Sunday dinner.
She is survived by her children, Marylee (David) Pound of Indianapolis, Tom (Sally) Waitt of Sheridan, Reid (Kim) Waitt of Raleigh, N.C., Susan (Alan) Gossard of Sheridan, and John (Karla) Waitt of Sheridan; daughter-in-law, Carolyn Waitt of Aurora, Ill.; 14 grandchildren, of which she was a very proud to be their Mema, John Paul and Chloe Pound, Ross Waitt, Katie (Lawson) Kilpatrick, Luke (Allison) Waitt, Samuel (Shannon) Waitt, Taylor (Katie) Waitt, Kathryn (Mac) Schultz, Lauren Waitt, Grant (Michelle) Gossard, Garrett (Brittany) Gossard, Emily Waitt, Sarah Waitt, and Jack (Brittany) Waitt; five great-grandchildren, with November bringing baby Gossard – number six, Ava Waitt, Merritt and Oaks Kilpatrick, and Max and Joe Gossard; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her son, Dan M. Waitt; daughter-in-law, Tracy Waitt; her brothers, Richard and Raymond Taylor; as well as a great-granddaughter, Adeline Kilpatrick.
A celebration of her life will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, October 23, 2022, at Kercheval Funeral Home, 306 E. 10th St., Sheridan.
In lieu of flowers, you may remember Sarah Jane by planting a daffodil, tulip, or snapdragon.
Condolences: kerchevalfuneralhome.com