Sarah Elizabeth Sunderland

Sarah Sunderland ObituaryPublished by Legacy on Mar. 17, 2026.On May 12, 1934, in Selbyville, Delaware, a beautiful little girl with blonde hair and eyes as blue as the calmest ocean came into this world. She was named Sarah Elizabeth Townsend. She was drawn in to take her place in a significant life that lasted long, yet still ended too soon.As the only child of James Covington Townsend and Sarah Catherine Cooke Townsend, even when she was alone she was never truly by herself-gathering a collection of "friends" from her bedroom shelves for impromptu tea parties, or losing herself in the pages of books where she ran alongside Uncle Wiggly or hid from trolls in a dark forest. These adventures fostered her lifelong passion for reading.Outside, among friends, she shared secrets, adventures, discoveries, and the pleasure of forming bonds with those around her as she grew. Some friendships lasted longer than others, but most remained in her memory.She spent many summers at her grandmother's cottage in Rehoboth Beach, where as a child she danced in the tide pools and kicked her toes in the sand until it tickled her eyelashes. During World War II she even crouched upon rooftops at night with her beloved Aunt Eva, scanning the coast for possible enemy infiltrators. As the years passed, she spent more time sunning and laughing with good friends while discussing that evening's plans.It was during one of these occasions that her heart grew larger when she met the man she would marry, becoming Mrs. James Gordon Smith Jr. Her path was lined with dreams, and together they built a life and welcomed two children, Elizabeth and James. She was encouraged to be the woman she wanted to be and to take advantage of all the opportunities that would guide her along the path she was meant to follow. Together they traveled, skied, played tennis, water-skied, sailed-and she even rode a horse once or twice.Tragedy eventually turned her path in a different direction, but her innate independence led to a fierce determination. She gathered all the strength she had cultivated over the years to break through the pall of loss and rise again with renewed vigor. She channeled that strength into building a life in which she used her mind to solve the challenges she faced, spoke the words she truly meant to say, managed her life with reason and practicality, and still followed her dreams when she set them free.She found her way into the hearts of many because of her strong sense of self. One person, however, made her heart grow a little larger once more, and she became Mrs. Pearson ("Sunny") Sunderland. Together they were sunshine, building a home that reflected their brilliance. They poured over every meticulous detail-from the placement of trees to the trusses above.Heartbreak came again when Sunny was taken from her too soon. Once more her path wound through hardship, yet she never lost her sense of direction. Guided by an unbreakable persistence, she continued to live fully, becoming an engaging and cherished part of the lives of those around her.She was an avid bridge player and spent two days each week playing with groups of women whose company kept her energized and vital. Her social life was full, including dinners with friends decades younger as well as those her own age. Her passion for reading never left her lonely.She possessed an entertaining wit and an appreciation for lovely things and lively people-but not for messy hair. She was kind and generous, loving and insightful, yet practical. She could also be quite stubborn and was not particularly easy to discuss politics with. And she loved where she lived.Occasionally we would discuss her moving closer to us, and she would pause to consider it. Then her head would turn, and she would gaze out toward the sea and say, "But I could never leave the ocean…"Her path ended when her physical form left this world on Friday, March 6, 2026. Yet her spirit remains-in the petals of each pansy beneath her kitchen window, in every cardinal that passes by on beating wings, in the white buds of camellias blooming in her atrium, and in the bright halo of light illuminating the home she loved and could never leave.Sarah Elizabeth is survived by her two children: Elizabeth Collins and James G. Smith III and his wife, Cynthia. She is also survived by three grandchildren: Jamie Collins, Will Smith, and Zoe Smith.A Burial service will be private. A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to: The Parkinson's Foundation The Delaware Humane Society.Please sign the tribute wall located on this website.Legacy.com reports daily on death announcements in local communities nationwide. Visit our funeral home directory for more local information, or see our FAQ page for help with finding obituaries and sending sympathy.