Sarah Tobien, a lifelong caregiver and dear friend to many, died peacefully at home on May 4, 2026, at the age of 92. Sarah was born on February 18, 1934, in Belfast Northern Ireland to Joseph and Wilhelmina (Knowles) Chambers. During WWII, at the age of 7, Sarah and her younger brother were evacuated from Belfast due to the threat of German bombing raids. They were taken in by a family on a farm in Ballycastle, 60 miles north of Belfast. Due to the tragic death of her mother, Sarah stayed on the farm for the remainder of her youth. Sarah had wonderful memories of her time there. One of her chores was milking a one-eyed cow named Agnes, who wouldn't produce for anyone but Sarah.

When she was 18, Sarah began her training as a nurse. She spent three years at the Mid Ulster Hospital in Belfast earning her RN certification and three additional years at a hospital in Edinburgh, Scotland where she trained as a surgical nurse. In 1958 she and two of her classmates set sail for Montreal, Canada with the intention of working as traveling nurses while exploring the world.

Sarah made it as far as Vancouver, British Columbia, where she was working at Shaughnessy Hospital when she met her future husband, Jack Tobien, at a YWCA dance. They married in 1960 and settled in Anacortes where Jack co-owned Anacortes Hardware. They had 58 years of devoted life together until Jack's passing in 2018.

In 1962 Sarah was the first nurse and third employee hired at Island Hospital. During her 22-year career there she oversaw the Operating Room, Central Supply and the Emergency Department. After retirement, she continued to volunteer and support the hospital financially until her death. Sarah was a devoted caregiver and a mentor to many young nurses.

Sarah is survived by her nephew Bruce Colley and his family, and a large circle of close friends. Her family and friends wish to thank the staffs at Island Hospital, Mount Baker Care Center, Home Instead and Hospice of the Northwest for the excellent care that they provided Sarah during the last few months of her life.

At her request no public services are planned. To share memories of Sarah, please sign her online guest register. Bookmark this direct link www.evanschapel.com/obituary/sarah-tobien to check for updates.