Obituary of Sara Jane Epstein

Sara Jane Epstein, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, died peacefully at home on July 7, 2025, surrounded by family.

Sara was born on October 5, 1938, in Great Neck, New York to parents Richard and Alice Simon. Sara moved to Denver to attend University of Colorado in 1956, where she met the love of her life, Ronald Epstein, after being set up on a blind date. Sara and Ron were happily married for 64 years until Ron’s death in December 2023. 

Sara finished her college career at the University of Denver, graduating in 1961 with her Bachelor of Arts. She began her career as a kindergarten teacher while raising her children and later returned to Colorado State University to obtain her degree in social work in 1979. Sara then worked for the Denver Department of Human Services as an intensive home caseworker for 28 years, retiring in June 2007. Sara’s colleagues and clients remember her as a capable, warm, and influential presence.

While Sara was a dedicated social worker for the duration of her career, she was also incredibly devoted to her family. She was a supportive and loving mother to Terry Epstein (Jep Seman), Patty Epstein, David Epstein, and Will Epstein, and an amazing Grammy to grandchildren Jordan Ivey (Taylor Ivey), Caroline Glasser (Ross Glasser), Abba Seman, Alec Segall, Bryn Segall, Paige Segall (Josh Spicely), Lowen Epstein and Rose Epstein. Sara is also survived by her brother, Richard L. (Carol) Simon, Jr., her brother-in-law, Jerry Snyder, and her sisters-in-law, Vivian Epstein and Ruth Epstein. Sara’s sister-in-law, Marilyn Snyder, and her brothers-in-law, Fred Epstein and Ted Epstein, Jr., preceded her in death. Sara was also a beloved aunt to her many nieces and nephews and a friend to countless people. 

Sara was generous, intelligent, straightforward, and funny. She was also tough: in 2015, she became a unilateral amputee after losing her leg to an infection, and she battled many health complications throughout her life with strength and bravery. Sara volunteered as a mentor and even got her treasured Bichon Frise certified as a service animal to provide comfort and support to other people with limb amputations in Denver. She gave her time and care freely to loved ones and strangers alike.

Sara loved shopping and frequenting her local beauty salon for hair and nail appointments; she was always the most stylish and put-together person in the room. She loved eating desserts, reading, playing Mahjong and Canasta with her friends, watching movies and shows, and attending plays, musicals and symphony performances. She was a lifelong animal lover and dog enthusiast, an avid Broncos fan, and enjoyed traveling all over the world. Most of all, Sara loved nothing more than to spend time with her friends and family, telling stories and laughing. She was in near-constant contact with her eight grandchildren through FaceTime, Instagram and text messages, and consistently amazed them with her technological savvy. She gave candid advice, was always modern and adaptable, and had a young, lively spirit until the end. Both personally and professionally, Sara was a true model of generosity, empathy, and wisdom. She will be deeply missed. 

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, July 10th at 10:00 AM at Temple Sinai in Denver. Livestream available on Temple Sinai’s website. Interment to follow at Emanuel Cemetery. Contributions in Sara’s name may be made to Temple Sinai, Jewish Family Service of Colorado, the Dumb Friends League, the Epilepsy Foundation of Colorado, or a charity of your choice.