[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 111 (Thursday, August 2, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S8700]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                IN MEMORY OF SARAH MAE SHOEMAKER CALHOON

 Mr. CARPER. Madam President, I rise today to commemorate the 
passing of a wonderful woman, mother, and American, Sarah Mae Shoemaker 
Calhoon died on July 7, 2001 outside of Columbus, OH after a courageous 
battle with cancer. Mrs. Calhoun was 75 years old.
  Mrs. Calhoon was born on August 31, 1925 in Philadelphia, PA to the 
late Samuel and Sarah Mae Shoemaker. She spent her childhood in 
Philadelphia, where she would graduate from Cheltenham High School. On 
August 29, 1947, just two days before her 22nd birthday, Sarah Mae 
Shoemaker was married to Tom Calhoon, a Marine from nearby Grandview 
Heights.
  The new Mr. and Mrs. Calhoon had their first child, Tom, Jr. or 
``little'' Tom as they often called him, early in their marriage. In 
September of 1948, Tom, Sarah, and ``little'' Tom moved to Columbus, 
OH, where, over the next 4 years would become the proud parents of 
three more sons, Sam, Don, and Bob. Their only daughter, Susie, would 
be born in April of 1961.
  Although I did not know Sarah Mae Calhoon personally, I have known 
her son Tom for more than half of my life. We met as undergraduates at 
Ohio State University in the 1960s and have been fraternity brothers 
for more than three decades. Despite living so far from each other, Tom 
and I have managed to keep in touch over the years. It is often said 
that all children are a reflection of their parents. If Tom is even a 
faint reflection of his mother, it is a great tribute to the values she 
carried throughout her life and instilled in her children.
  Since her recent passing, I have heard and read many wonderful things 
abut Sarah Mae Calhoon. I have learned about her strong commitment to 
the community of Columbus, whether it be through her active membership 
in a variety of organizations like the PTA, 4-H, the Lions Auxiliary or 
in her unofficial role as the ``zoning watchdog'' of the Calhoon's 
neighborhood on Old Cemetery Road. I have read about her great success 
as a multi-million dollar producer in the real estate industry. I have 
heard, from both former customers and competitors alike, about the 
dedication, loyalty, and integrity that she brought to her job every 
day.
  Most importantly, however, I have learned about her unfailing 
commitment to being a mother and wife. Nothing was more precious to 
Sarah Calhoon than her family, and she did all she could to ensure that 
all of her children grew up in a loving and nurturing environment that 
would enable them to go on to lead valuable and fulfilling lives. She 
consistently put the needs, concerns, and feelings of her family and 
others before her own wishes, never asking for much but always giving a 
great deal. Her life served as an example, providing inspiration to 
women everywhere struggling to maintain the careful balance between 
career and family, a task that she carried out with admirable grace and 
skill.
  Everything that I have learned about Sarah Mae Calhoon since her 
death has only confirmed what I had always pictured my good friend 
Tom's mother would be like: the epitome of an exemplary wife, mother, 
business woman, and citizen.
  In closing, I would like to extend my greatest condolences to her 
husband, their five children, seven grandchildren, and countless others 
whose lives were touched by this wonderful woman. As we celebrate her 
remarkable life, let it be known that Sarah Mae Calhoon will be dearly 
missed, yet never forgotten.

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