A St. Mary’s Farewell Prepares Patient, Family for a Heavenly Welcome

"There was a quiet love shown and given to her every hour of every day."

In the bustling halls of the ICU at St. Mary's Hospital of Athens, there was a presence that touched the souls of all who crossed paths with her. Her name was Sarah LaVerne Behra, and her journey, though marked by challenges, radiated with a resilient spirit that inspired all who knew her.

Born in 1943 in Memphis, Tenn., Sarah's life was woven with love and devotion. At the age of 28, she found her soulmate in Richard Behra, and together they embarked on a journey of love and family. With a family of seven children and eight grandchildren, their home was filled with the laughter and the warmth of generations united by love. Richard says Sarah was a “loving wife, mother, and grandmother” to him and the whole family.

Sarah's journey took a challenging turn when she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, a relentless foe that tested her strength and resilience. In July of 2023, as she entered the final stages of another illness, Sarah was admitted to the ICU at St. Mary's Hospital. Surrounded by the gentle hum of monitors and the tender care of the ICU staff, Sarah faced each day with grace and courage. Despite the trials she faced, Sarah never wavered in her faith. For her and Richard, God was the cornerstone of their lives, a guiding light that illuminated even the darkest of days. They found solace in the belief that Sarah's illness was not a burden, but a gift—a testament to the depth of their love and the strength of their faith.

Throughout her time in the ICU, Sarah was enveloped in the love and care of the staff who tended to her needs with compassion and dedication. Richard says that to him and Sarah, they were more than just nurses and doctors—they were “Jesus in scrubs,” instruments of God's grace sent to ease Sarah's journey home. In a heartfelt letter to the ICU staff, Richard expressed his gratitude for their unwavering support and compassion. He wrote,

“When I saw you... whether it was a doctor, nurse, aide or someone inputting data into a computer ... I saw just scrubs. And I saw each of you as Jesus Christ in scrubs taking care of my beloved wife of over 50 years. My wife was not just a number in room 2. She was someone you cared about and cared deeply.”

As Sarah's condition declined, Richard found comfort in the knowledge that she was being cared for with the same love and tenderness that had defined their life together, and on August 1, 2023, surrounded by the love of her family and the prayers of the ICU staff, Sarah embarked on her final journey, which Richard called a glorious entry into the arms of her Creator.

In his letter to the ICU staff, Richard said:

“Sarah, in her own quiet way, asked each of you to be as Christ to her as a servant. She asked and you responded. Boy, did you respond. There was a quiet love shown and given to her every hour of every day. You spent an enormous amount of time and energy preparing Sarah for living in this world. However, I feel The Good Lord had other plans. Your efforts were not in vain. What you actually did for Sarah and her family was to help prepare her body and soul for her glorious entry into Heaven. What more can a family member ask?”

Though her physical presence may have departed, Sarah's spirit lives on in the hearts of all who were touched by her grace and resilience. In the ICU at St. Mary's, her story remains a testament to the power of love, faith, and the enduring spirit of the human soul. Richard reflected that love back to the staff in early January when he returned to St. Mary’s ICU to personally thank them for all they had done for Sarah, himself, and their family.

At St. Mary’s, our mission is to serve together in the spirit of the Gospel as a compassionate and transforming healing presence within our communities. As a mission-driven, innovative health organization that is part of Trinity Health, our vision is to become the national leader in improving the health of our communities and each person we serve. We will be the most trusted health partner for life. St. Mary’s honors the sacredness and dignity of every person and embraces a culture that prevents harm and nurtures a healing, safe environment for all.

Learn more about St. Mary’s Mission Services, spiritual care services, and bereavement support groups at Mission Services.