Sarah Alma DeCleene

Sarah Alma DeCleene (nee Marttila), 63, passed away suddenly on August 24, 2026. Sarah was born on December 11, 1962 in Pittsburgh, PA, a beloved daughter of the late Raymond Wilbert and Juliana Helen (nee Lahnala) Marttila of Liminga, Michigan. Sarah was the devoted wife of her college sweetheart, James Joseph DeCleene, who preceded her in death in 2019. They were united in marriage at the First English Lutheran Church in Goshen, Indiana on October 22, 1988.

Together they were loving parents to their three children, who remained firmly devoted to Sarah: Joseph (“Joe”) Raymond DeCleene of Los Angeles, CA, Hannah DeCleene Do of Virginia Beach, VA and John James DeCleene of Singapore. Sarah is also survived by her beloved grandchildren, Jonah James Do and Micah DeCleene Do of Virginia Beach, VA.

Sarah is also survived by her five siblings: Joanne Marttila Pierson (Jerome), Carol D’Alberto (Frank), Jane Gremaux, Mary Lill (Jim), and John Marttila; three special nephews Kenneth, Raymond and William Gremaux; her son-in-law Nhat Do; as well as a large extended family of DeCleene in-laws and Marttila/Lahnala cousins. She enjoyed her large extended family as well as the Marttila family farm in Liminga, Michigan and in true Finnish fashion “showed up” for many important and memorable events. Sarah is also survived by loving friends.

In 1980 Sarah graduated from Goshen (Indiana) High School and in 1984 earned a B.S. in Finance from Indiana University which is where she met her husband, Jim, in the renowned McNutt dorm. It was at IU that they both became Grateful Dead fans and began a life of traveling to concerts. After college, Sarah and Jim moved to Chicago where she was employed by the Chicago Board of Trade. While a young employee at the Board, she made a presentation to then-Senator Paul Simon - like any task, Sarah was up to it. Her get-it-done skills would prove particularly handy as she relocated her family many times in support of Jim’s advancing career: Exton PA, Hong Kong, Maple Glen PA, Guadalajara Mexico, Wynnewood PA, Shanghai China, and Wayne PA. After Jim’s death, Sarah established homes in Bryn Mawr, PA; on the Houghton Canal, Michigan to be near her aging parents and most recently Virginia Beach, VA to be near her daughter and grandsons.

Sarah loved her family, her beautiful homes, her pets, her friends and spectator sports. She was a devoted and active mother who believed her children should follow their own hearts, while understanding they were responsible for the consequences of their own decisions. She was active from a very young age and always willing to try new things, places and destinations. For example, she arranged for her family’s many global travels including camping along the Tour de France and touring New Zealand; and she convinced her sister to hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, travel to remote Philippine islands and raft the Pacuare River in Costa Rica, among other adventures. Sarah and Jim also attended many sporting events including notably Army-Navy games and The [British] Open Championship. At a young age she convinced her school to allow her to take shop class, in lieu of home economics, which was against protocol for girls. Sarah was also an avid reader and, understanding the importance of reading, once led a children’s weekly tutoring program at Ardmore Presbyterian Church.

Above all, Sarah will be remembered for the love she had for her immediate and extended family and special friends; and the memorable times she helped create and share with them. In addition to her get-it-done talent, she will be remembered for her playfulness and her quick wit and sense of humor, which she inherited from her parents.

Donohue Funeral Home (www.donohuefuneralhome.com) is assisting the family with arrangements. It was Sarah’s wish to be cremated. Plans are being finalized, but a celebration of life is planned for Friday, September 4, 2026 in the Radnor, PA area – a final update will be posted here once available.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests any memorials be made, in Sarah’s honor, to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Montgomery County (namimc.org). If you would like to send a card to the family, please send it to Donohue Funeral Home at 366 W Lancaster Ave, Wayne, PA 19087.

Photos are encouraged to be shared at the following link: https://www.dropbox.com/request/0i5wkgftgi3v1pfm85f2