[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 124 (Friday, September 21, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9615-S9616]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                IN MEMORY OF SARAH MAE SHOEMAKER CALHOON

 Mr. CARPER. Mr. 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, (Hilliard), after 
a courageous battle with cancer. Mrs. Calhoon 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 J. Thomas Calhoon, a Marine from Grandview 
Heights, a suburb of Columbus, OH.
  The new Mr. and Mrs. Calhoon had their first child, Thomas F. 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 four years they 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 
the 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 
about 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

[[Page S9616]]

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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