Sarah Daugherty McNamara was born in Macon, GA on December 21, 1926 to Hallie Cranford Daugherty and Lucius Lamar Daugherty. Sarah and her family moved to Jacksonville, FL in 1936 where her father operated a wholesale lumber business. She later attended Florida State College in Tallahassee, FL and then the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, NC. After working in San Francisco, New York and Baltimore for Schilling/McCormick Spice Company, Sarah moved to Sea Island, GA in 1958 where she accepted the prestigious position as the Social Director for the Cloister Resort. While at the Cloister, she met James L. McNamara of Moline, IL. The two were married Nov 1, 1960 in Greensboro, AL and moved to Rock Island, IL where they raised 4 children in their home overlooking the Rock River. She continued to use her talent for entertaining at the home she loved and was especially well-known amongst many Quad City families for her memorable 4th of July parties. She was preceded in death by her husband James on April 29th 1983.  Sarah was an active member of Tri-City Garden Club, the Rock Island Arsenal Golf Club and Broadway Presbyterian Church where she regularly produced the flower arrangements for Sunday services. An avid gardener and a gifted flower arranger, she generously shared her knowledge of all things growing, touching everyone she met and making the world a brighter place. Sarah is survived by her sister Harriet Howard: her four children, Sarah Navarro, Hallie Worsey, Jim McNamara and Molly McNamara; and nine grandchildren.  Memorials may be made to Citizens to Preserve Blackhawk Park, Blackhawk Park Foundation, 1510 46th Avenue, Rock Island, IL 61201-6853.
A celebration of Sarah's life will be held at a later date. Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, Rock Island is assisting the family. Online condolences may be left for the family at wheelanpressly.com