Sarah Weston Shanklin

Sarah Weston Shanklin, of Groton and Menauhant, MA, died peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Sunday, April 15, 2018.  Sarah was the cherished wife of the late F. Garrett Shanklin.

Sarah was born October 6, 1933 in Waterville, Maine, daughter of the late Helen G. Weston and Clayton D. Weston.  She enjoyed growing up in Madison, Maine, and spent many summers along the coast of Maine in Stonington. Sarah briefly attended Simmons College, until she met and married the love of her life, Garrett.  Throughout their 58 years of marriage, Sarah and Garrett created an incredible life together. Sarah and Garrett moved to Groton, where they built their home and raised their four children. When Garrett decided to realize his dream of building his own manufacturing company, Shanklin Corporation, Sarah was instrumental in encouraging him.  As the company grew, she became an integral part of the company, serving as Vice President of Marketing.

One of Sarah and Garrett’s passions was the Shanklin Music Hall, a concert hall they built to feature a Wurlitzer Theatre Pipe Organ.  Sarah was invaluable in creating the interior design and décor of the music hall, where she and Garrett graciously hosted concerts for public enjoyment.

Sarah’s favorite times were those shared with her family. She loved being with her family at their Cape Cod summer home in Menauhant, MA, where she sailed, played croquet, and shared inspirational stories and “nuggets of wisdom” with her children and grandchildren.  She enjoyed skiing at Loon Mountain, NH and at Snowmass, CO, as well as touring the country in antique cars.  Sarah touched the hearts of those who knew her with her boundless kindness, grace, generosity, and integrity.  She was the heart of her family.

Sarah was adored by her four children, Carole S. Hill and her husband Paul, of Vonore, TN; Jane S. Dunn and her husband Murray, of Encinitas, CA: Norman D. Shanklin and his wife Molly, of Wilton, NH; and Lea S. Decoteau and her husband Jay, of Groton, MA; and ten grandchildren, Kevin (Melanie) Hill, Brian Hill, Sarah Dunn, Robert Dunn, Jenna Richardson, Andrew Richardson, Corey (Carolyn) Decoteau, Shauna Decoteau, Kelley (Victor) Howell, and Ben Decoteau. She is also survived by her two great-grandchildren: Abigail Hill, and Mason Howell, and by her beloved brother and his wife, Norman and Lela Weston.

A memorial service for Sarah will be held on Saturday, July 14, 2018 at 11:00 am, at Grace Memorial Chapel, 451 Central Avenue, East Falmouth, MA. Family and friends are respectfully invited. Donations in memory of Sarah may be sent to Nashoba Nursing Service & Hospice, 3 Patterson Rd, Suite 3, Shirley, MA 01464, or to Grace Memorial Chapel, PO Box 425, East Falmouth, MA 02536.