Sarah Murray

What a gift Sarah was to all who knew her. I remember the first time I met Sarah so clearly. I was touring Westmont as a high school senior and was introduced to her in her freshman dorm room by a very close mutual friend of ours, Kami. Sarah was the kind of person that didn’t need to “warm up” to anyone. She was Sarah through and through regardless of the amount of time you had known her, setting of your interaction, etc. She spoke to me like we’d been friends for years in just a matter of minutes - cracking jokes, witty and sarcastic one liners at every opportunity, honest, wise and unwavering. Little did I know that she would come to mean so much to me for the next decade. Over the years we spent countless time together throughout college, weddings, baby showers, birthdays, you name it. All of life’s biggest moments and Sarah was there for it all and now, our husbands are dear friends and our daughters are besties, which I pray will be the next generation of the friendship Sarah gave to me ❤️ Even in her absence Sarah’s memory will live on forever in our household and hearts.

One of my very favorite memories is from this past November when Sarah, Jacob and Emerson came to our daughters 2nd birthday party. A seemingly normal way to see your dear friends, but in that season Sarah was just recently discharged from the hospital and yet she showed up to celebrate with us just a few days later. I’m true Sarah fashion you would’ve never known she had just exited a rough stretch as she showed up just as she always does and said she “wouldn’t miss it” and that’s exactly the type of person sarah was for the entirety of our friendship. She shows up for her people - fiercely loyal, present, reliable, loving, genuine, and intentional! How many other friends would prioritize a two year old birthday party after a hospital stay and present themselves so strong?! Only Sarah. I was in awe of her that entire evening and continue to be in awe of the way she has impacted me that will stay with me forever. This experience wasn’t unique as she also came to my bachelorette party 7 months pregnant and drove 2 hours to my birthday at the beach just to spend an hour with me. She is the friend that will find a way to always show up and joyful spirit!

I cannot wait to see her again in heaven, my forever friend. I know she’s watching over us and will have a lengthy list of jokes, wise insights, and witty banter she’ll be eager to share with us on matters she observing from heaven when we meet again!

We were girls together ❤️

Sarah and I (and Natalie) were freshman year roommates at Westmont. I still clearly recall the first time I met Sarah—she had an unmistakable energy from the moment I saw her. Sarah was incredibly confident but never intimidating. She was funny and kind, and had a steadiness about her. She would walk in a room and you could feel it. I remember chatting with her in our room, going to the market for ice cream, and later her telling me about Jacob when they first started dating. But what I remember best was how she made people feel. Sarah really was a light, and I’m so thankful to have known her. ❤️

Sarah was a remarkable woman. I’ll never forget stepping onto Westmont’s campus for training camp, terrified, when a beautiful girl with long brown hair walked up and said, “Hi, I’m Sarah! You’re rooming with me!” She had arranged it herself, thinking I might be shy and needed help coming out of my shell. She quickly realized that wasn’t necessary—but that was Sarah. A thoughtful leader, always looking out for others.

She was the most mature and composed college student I’d ever met, and for a while, I couldn’t understand how someone could seem to have all the answers. But Sarah wasn’t just wise—she was playful too. She had enough mischief in her to keep things balanced. During stressful games when we coached together, she’d use a multi-colored pen to mark my leg during particularly nerve-wracking plays, so by the end, I’d be covered in red, green, and blue lines. She was wise beyond her years but never too serious, and that’s what made her so special.

We grew even closer when she told me she was pregnant with Emerson. Watching her become a mom forever changed my perspective on parenting—I couldn’t believe how naturally it came to her. I loved spending time at the Murrays’ house, eating, laughing, playing with Emerson, and having dance parties. Talking with Sarah made me feel grounded. Her wisdom brought me peace.

I will forever miss her, but I am endlessly grateful to have known someone so intentional, impactful, and full of life.

Sarah,
If I were to thank Volleyball for the best thing that ever came out of it, it would be you. The big to my little.

You were beyond your years in wisdom. You loved fiercely and cared for all.

I will forever be grateful to and for you. I miss you, our chats and the joy you exuded. I can’t pick a favorite memory, although we had many amazing times. I think my favorite thing was just chatting with you, whether it was in person, a call or a text. ❤️

Thank you beautiful Sarah for being in our lives.

We were the lucky ones to know you.
Debbie

A little back story to preface what it was like growing up with Sarah. The McGough’s and the Theodore’s went to Lake Nacimiento multiple times a year since we were in elementary school and our stories were endless. Nothing could ever make me forget the amount of fun we had on the lake throughout the years. Between the raccoons eating the birthday cake, the rope swing in the cove, my dad burning his shirt and his nipple from the fire, and Marty dropping the Thanksgiving turkey we had so much fun. My favorite story of all is when my sister Alex and Sarah were tubing on the lake and for whatever reason we could not get them off of it! So we eventually make it to the narrows which is a no wake zone and the girls are still on the tube. Well about an hour or so goes by and the girls are still laying face down on the tube chatting up a storm without a care in the world. Only later would you hear our entire campsite bursting out in laughter because the girls had been on the tube for so long that their calf’s got sunburnt! Watching them try and sit down in the chairs around the fire pit was something I will never forget. Sarah was so loved and will be so missed but the countless memories made with her and the McGough’s will stay with me forever.

Sarah and I were friends from day one at Westmont. Entering college was a big life change and having Sarah as a friend gave me a sense of comfort in this new season of life. We lived two doors down from each other our freshman year and we would always go to each other’s rooms and have long talks. We could share anything - from funny things that happened that day, to our faith, struggles, future plans, etc. I miss those talks. Sarah was always there for me whether I needed a heart-to-heart or a spontaneous trip to have some fun. Even after college when we lived farther apart she’d prioritize catching up, getting together when possible, and being there for life's most important moments.

Sarah was kind, caring, honest, compassionate, confident, selfless, both knowledgeable and wise, hard-working, funny, loyal, dependable, and fun to be around. She was one-of-a-kind and irreplaceable. I will miss her, but I am thankful for the season I had with her in my life. God knew I needed her friendship and unconditional love.

Jesus says that the greatest commandment is to love the Lord with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself. This was Sarah. She lived this way! It didn’t matter where God placed her, she made an impact. She treated others the way she would want to be treated and showed no partiality.

What a blessing to have a close friend who exemplified Christ’s love! Being her friend was an honor. I long to see her again, but I know that she is holding Liam, worshipping Jesus, and finally healed.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.”
‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭4‬:‭7‬-‭8‬

What 29 means to the McGough Family…
Our son Bradley’s first year in football, he wanted to be number 65 (his dad's high school football number), but it was not available to receivers (his position) so he asked about number 25, but it was not available so he chose number 24. Eventually, he switched to 29 because 5+4 = 9, plus when you turn 29 upside down, it resembles 65.
James started football as a guard, he chose number 65, again his dad’s high school football number. As football season continued the coach decided to have James play two positions, the other position being a tight end, he was given a second jersey to keep on hand, it turned out that was jersey number 29.
When Sarah started playing Volleyball, she chose 29 whether it was club volleyball or high school volleyball, she wanted to be number 29 because both of her brothers’ jerseys were number 29 in their sports. In committing to Westmont college as a collegiate athlete she asked to be number 29, Patti (her coach at the time) said they did not have jerseys that went that high in numbers. It was not until opening day of volleyball camp that Sarah opened her team backpack and inside was Jersey number 29. So, 29 became our “family number”. January 13, 2025 Sarah moved on to her eternal life just seven days shy of her 30th birthday. As James pointed out to us, Sarah will forever be 29!
We have chosen March 29 to celebrate her life. 29 continues!

I first met Sarah when she joined the Westmont Volleyball team and almost immediately I knew she was my kind of gal. She was smart, witty, and had the best sense of humor. As I got to know her more, I also learned that she was an incredibly hard worker, a natural leader, and a fiercely loyal friend. Over the last 12 years, Sarah and I made countless memories together. From her reminding me every practice and every game what rotation we were in, to country line dancing, road tripping to teammates weddings, double dates in Santa Barbara with our guys before we had babies, coaching Westmont Volleyball Prospect Camp together multiple years in a row, celebrating at each of our weddings and baby showers, countless phone calls, texts and conversations about all things volleyball, dating, marriage, work, and motherhood, and our latest memory together - Jacob, Sarah, and Emerson's visit to our home in Arizona. Sarah was one of my dearest friends. I will never forget all the wonderful memories we made together and I look forward to the day we see each other again in heaven.

From the moment Sarah stepped onto the Westmont campus, I knew she was built different. She was mature, well spoken and sharply observant. Sarah asked poignant questions about the volleyball program, my coaching and campus life. I remember thinking “here is a leader” and she joined the team and became exactly that. I came to heavily rely on her insight, and her advice as a captain and later as an assistant coach was invaluable. One of my favorite memories of Sarah is trying on ugly Christmas sweaters in Walmart at Nationals in Sioux City, Iowa and literally laughing ourselves to tears. It’s is a rare person who can hold the balance of humor, discernment, goofiness and wisdom, but Sarah did just that. She is deeply missed and forever loved.

The big sister I didn’t know I needed and the little sister she didn’t ever want. Our dynamic was something I will cherish forever - our friendship grew through every life change and stage and it’s so hard that this is where doing life together ends. She’s with us always - her presence was always a comfort and that’s what I’m taking with me now. Love you Big 🫶

Sarah is a beautiful person! It was my absolute honor to have been part of her life. She inspires me to be a better person and to live this life with a grateful heart. She is a special person and she will be missed 💐 Sending her family sincere condolences and prayers! 🙏

Sarah was such a special person and it was my true honor and privilege to be part of her life. I witnessed her grit, dedication to her family, and her humor. She was funny, sarcastic, and a true fighter until the end. She loved her husband, Emerson, parents, brothers, and the whole family fiercely. I love her and miss her dearly. She will always be in my heart and always alive in my memories.

To my girl,
We have collected so many memories over years, far too many for me to write. From play dates as 3rd graders to Lake Naci trips with our families, to girl time at my house in Huntington shortly after you found out you were pregnant with Liam… we have always been a part of the pivotal moments in each others lives. But to be honest, my favorite memories are the ones that we created as we got older. The times when we would sit for hours just catching up and chatting; our time was precious and we always made it a priority. We would talk about everything going on in our lives and I remember it being a sigh of relief to talk to you just because you knew me so well. Sometimes I thought you knew me better than I knew myself, but then I would remind myself that you truly had been with me through it all. You are my testament to a true and great friendship. I will always love you and I will always miss you, with all my heart ❤️

Nights like this were some of the best—we laughed, we made memories, and we had the kind of fun you never forget. Getting through high school together meant everything and truly bonded us for life.

So many incredible memories from our years playing volleyball together! We had the best team, and I’ll always remember not just the level of skill Sarah brought to the court, but the kind of friend she was off of it.

Though Sarah may no longer be with us physically, her legacy of love remains. She has taught us the importance of kindness, the power of empathy, and the value of genuine connections. Her life was a living example of how one person can make a profound difference in the world. Sarah was one of a kind. She is truly missed by all of us.

Those of us who were fortunate enough to share moments with Sarah have an abundance of cherished memories to hold onto. She was our second daughter, from the time we met the McGough family, they all became our family. From spontaneous adventures to heartfelt conversations, each memory is a testament to the beautiful soul she was. Our Saturday evenings together are moments we will treasure for a lifetime, the laughter, games, and love we all shared.

Even though we moved to Missouri, we would come back to Stevenson Ranch and get together just like we never left. Sarah would never forget one of our birthdays, even though we were not living close, she would text us and wish us a happy birthday.

Watching Sarah grow from a beautiful girl to becoming a wife and mom. We could always see the happiness on her face, she glowed!

We will carry Sarah’s memories with us always, honoring her by living our lives with the same love, kindness, and compassion that she always showed us. Rest in peace, our dear Sarah. You will forever be in our hearts and minds.

Love you forever,
Paul and Lesie Grossman

Where to even begin when you've lost someone who was so funny, brave, loyal, strong, and important to you? From the moment we met, Sarah became my little (albeit much taller) sister. We met when Sarah was about 12 years old and we began spending every Saturday night together with our families. From there, we began going on family cruises, spending Christmases together, and Sarah became the little sister I never had (and always wanted). We were the only girls in the family so we got to room together and spend tons of time together, despite our age gap. On cruises, she convinced me to stop reading so much and actually enjoy the trips with our families. We spent hours (and hours!) re-watching Hairspray in our cabin, dancing and singing (loudly) along. We built gingerbread houses - but mostly just ate the frosting. We talked for hours (and hours!) whether I was still in high school or back visiting from college. She was in my wedding. I was in hers. She visited me in Austin, and laid claim to a bedroom, deeming it hers. I will cherish every single memory we have together, from ziplining waterfalls, jet skiing in Mexico, dancing for hours at our bachelorettes, and sharing our wedding days together. I miss you so much lil sis.

I first met Sarah in junior high, as our friend groups overlapped, and though we weren’t close at the time, I always admired her. She was in honors classes, played volleyball, and was simply one of the kindest, funniest, strongest people. For years, we somehow never ended up in the same class—until senior year, when we suddenly had almost all of our classes together. We got close incredibly fast, bonding over college applications and big plans for the future.

Sarah had already committed to Westmont for volleyball, and when I got in too, we decided to be roommates. That last semester of high school, we grew even closer, counting down the days until our new lives in Santa Barbara. Sarah moved in early for volleyball, and I arrived the day before my birthday. From the very first day, she made me feel so loved, going out of her way to make my birthday special. That was just who she was—always thoughtful, always full of grace.

Between the beach days, suffering through computer science, early morning P90X ab workouts in the Page MPR during the offseason, and staying up until 2 AM watching One Tree Hill in the giant cuddle bed we made (pictured), there was never a dull moment. Despite her commitment to volleyball, Sarah always made time for our friendship.

Even though we were the same age, Sarah was like an older sister—always looking out for me, taking care of me when I was sick, and being my rock through everything. She had this quiet confidence, a way of carrying herself that made you feel safe. I wouldn’t have made it through that first year without her. Sarah brought so much joy, warmth, and laughter into every moment, and her quiet strength gave me the courage I didn’t even know I needed.

I remember when she and Jacob started dating and how excited I was for her. He truly seemed like her equal, and together they built a beautiful life. The first time I met Emerson, when she was just a few weeks old, I got emotional seeing Sarah as a mom. I knew she would be incredible—caring, strong, and full of love, just as she had always been.

She touched the lives of everyone who knew her, and I am so grateful for the 15+ years I got to call her my friend. Sarah was a light in this world, and that light will never fade. <3

Sarah and I met through club volleyball when we were in junior high. We then played on club teams together and on opposing high school teams through our senior year. We lost touch after high school as we both went our separate ways and played college volleyball. We reconnected as we both got engaged, got married and started families of our own. I feel so lucky to have been able to message Sarah throughout pregnancy and motherhood as I went through the craziness of becoming a parent. She always had tips and tricks for nursing, swaddling, sleep training, etc. and it was so comforting to feel like I had someone to go through it with! Sarah loved being a mom and a wife and took so much pride in both of those roles!

Sarah,

We will always remember so so much good about you. Your beautiful smile, your glowing personality, your gorgeous mermaid-y hair, your kind words and positivity, and your all-around sweet and happy spirit. We thoroughly enjoyed your wit and humor. We loved having you do a reading at our wedding and a few years later, we were honored that you asked Finley and Isla to be flower girls in yours. The girls will always cherish the wedding teddy bears that you and Jacob gave them- just one example of your thoughtfulness.

From camping trips at Lake Don Pedro to wine tasting adventures in Sonoma County to just sitting and talking, we always enjoyed our time with you and our love for you will always remain strong.

We love this picture so much because the light is shining on you and you look radiant. You were a light in this world and now you are a light that shines on us from Heaven. We know how well you are doing there and will rejoice when we meet again. We love you greatly!

Love Always,
Matt, Jessica, Finley & Isla

Sarah was so strong, kind, funny, genuine, and extremely hardworking. I was lucky to start working with her in 2017 in SB, and she instantly became my right hand woman. She was always willing to learn and never left any stone unturned. I was thrilled when she joined the impact team, and loved seeing her blossom into becoming a Mom, and the BEST recruiter. Anyone that worked with Sarah knew how amazing she was and only had the best things to say. She became such a good friend of mine, and I'll greatly miss our regular phone calls. I have the utmost admiration for Sarah, and I always will.

-Vianna

From Wednesday night drives out to Borderline in college to friend reunions with our babies, we came a long way Sarah! 10 years of friendship here on Earth and so many more to come in Heaven one day. Love you and miss you my friend ❤️

We all miss you so.

Sarah you were the love of Jacob’s life. I will miss you so very much! I promise to keep your memory alive for your precious daughter! My favorite memory of you is the first time I taught you to play rummy! You were totally hooked! I will miss the laughter and fun!

My heart aches, but I am grateful for every moment we shared. Sarah, you brought so much light, strength, and joy into my life. Your laughter, courage, and unwavering kindness touched everyone around you—including me. I miss you more than words can say, but I’m holding onto the beautiful memories and the love you so freely gave. You will always be with me, in my heart, and every adventure and life milestone. I love you forever.

My forever twin❤️

My sweet SIL. You will be so missed. Your memory will carry on forever. This was such fun visit. Wish we could turn back the hands of time and cherish it a little more.

SM was my rock and my motivator during my time playing at Westmont. I’m so glad I could call her my friend. I will forever cherish her wit and sarcasm and amazing heart. One funny memory with Sarah was at Nationals my junior year and we had a white elephant gift exchange party in the big team mom suite (thank you Laura for the smoothies) and I stole a gift that SM had picked - a bag of Twix candy and a pair of super shiny silver leggings. She really wanted those leggings and I really wanted the candy. After some negotiations, we made the trade so she could keep the leggings. It turned out to be perfect because a few days later she got to rock those silver leggings to dinner after our 2nd place finish at Nationals. Silver pants for silver place! Love you forever SM!

I did not get to know Sarah for more than three years, but getting to spend those three years around the westmont volleyball team, I know how much she meant to those girls, and how much she will mean to the program for years to come. I cover tons of teams and work with tons of coaches. Sarah was one of the few that made me feel seen not just as a colleague, but a human being. I have always loved this photo, that I took by accident. I like to think Sarah will be cheering on the Warriors from up there now. Will continue to pray for the Murray family.

2nd grade (2003) with Sarah - right in the middle ♥️

Sweet Emerson’s baby shower xx