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Sara Karen 'Sally' Hastings, Silk & Sands owner

February 10, 2014

After a courageous battle with kidney disease that reflected her indomitable spirit, Sara Karen "Sally" Hastings passed Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014, in Philadelphia, Pa.

Daughter of Gene and William James Hastings, Sally was born in Cleveland, Ohio, Aug. 3,1938, and grew up in Baltimore, Md. Before moving with her mother to Rehoboth Beach, Sally, a graduate of the University of Maryland and member of Delta Delta Delta, was an art teacher in Baltimore County.

Her passion for creating things of beauty subsequently fueled her success as a Sussex County florist. As the owner and lead designer at Silk & Sands, Sally brought grace and beauty into the lives of fellow Sussex Country citizens for nearly three decades.

Sally was a widely regarded community activist. Her contributions to our community went far beyond being a small business leader. Her inspiring legacy of civic engagement includes leadership and fundraising roles for a broad range of local organizations, including Delaware Technical Community College, the Rehoboth Art League, Beebe Medical Center, the Village Improvement Association and Safe Haven. Sally also was an active and longtime member of the Westminster Presbyterian Church.

Sally leaves her beloved husband Robert R. Hastings (Bob), whom she married in June 2011. Their wedding and their all too short life together remind us all of the importance of love in our lives, regardless of age.

Sally also is survived by her stepdaughter, Karen Hastings, as well as many friends and neighbors who share her love of home, church and community.

Sally will be greatly missed by her family, friends, customers, neighbors and beloved pets Penny, Amanda, Ruthie and Pudy. She leaves us with the inspiring example of a strong woman who led a life well lived.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday Feb. 12, at 11 a.m., at Westminster Presbyterian Church, King Charles Avenue and Laurel Street, Rehoboth Beach, where friends may call at the church beginning at 9 a.m. Burial will follow the services at the Lewes Presbyterian Church Cemetery. Arrangements by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Lewes.

The family suggests that memorial contributions in Sally's name be made to either The Gene Hastings Memorial Endowed Scholarship, DTTC Educational Foundation, 21179 College Road, Georgetown, DE 19947, which Sally and Bob established in honor of Sally's mother, or to the Beebe Foundation/Margaret H. Rollins School of Nursing, 902 Savannah Road, Lewes, DE 19958.

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