It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Sarah "DaBears" Conley, born Sarah Hunter in Chicago, IL on March 7, 1961. She departed from us on October 16, 2025, and while her presence will be deeply missed, her spirit will forever live on in the hearts and minds of those she touched. Sarah was a charismatic and compassionate soul. The legacy she leaves behind in Fall River, Massachusetts, where she resided for a year, is one filled with an adventurous spirit, ambition, and a profound sense of empathy for others.

Sarah dedicated her life to the noble vocation of teaching, specializing in education for individuals with special needs. Her ambition was boundless, her charisma infectious, and her heart filled with an insatiable desire to "level the playing field for all". She believed in the power of education and the importance of providing equal opportunities to everyone, regardless of their circumstances. In her spare time, Sarah found solace and creativity in making pottery and gardening, two hobbies that reflected her love for beauty and life. She was a proud mother of two children who were the recipients of her boundless love, compassion, and the life values she held dear.

Sarah is survived by her son, Patrick Conley, her daughter, Katherine Conley, sister Erica Mckoane and cousins Renee Lawryk and Gene "Buff" Rochambeau. She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Dale Hunter, nee Rochambeau, her brother Thomas "Turk" Hunter, and her daughter Shannon Louise Conley.

The words of Maya Angelou perfectly encapsulate Sarah's life: "People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." And Sarah, with her charisma, compassion, and adventurous spirit, made everyone around her feel loved and valued.

We invite you to share your memories of Sarah and upload photos to her memorial page as a tribute to her life and legacy. Each story and picture will help keep her spirit alive and remind us of the difference she made in our lives.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Autism Speaks, Special Olympics or St. Jude's Hospital in Sarah's name. A Celebration of Life will be held in both Chicago, IL and again outside of Boston, MA in the Spring of 2026. Please contact the family for additional details.

Services are humbly entrusted into the care of Southcoast Funeral Homes "Celebrating A Life Well Lived"