Sarah Elizabeth McAlhany

Her absence is like the sky, spread over everything. - C.S. Lewis

Our beloved Liz passed away peacefully at McGraw Hospice, Jacksonville, Florida on July 13, 2025, after a courageous journey with appendiceal cancer. She set an extraordinary example for everyone on how to live life to the fullest, never letting any of life's circumstances dampen her joy for living. She truly understood how to treat each hour as the rarest of gifts and greeted everyone she met with sincere enthusiasm.

Born in Memphis, Tennessee and raised in Springfield, Missouri, Liz was a happy-go-lucky soul, delighting in all life's experiences and sharing that delight with everyone. She never met a stranger, and her warm, sincere hugs were well known and well loved.

After graduating from the University of Arkansas, where she was elected as Student Body President, Liz began her career in Washington, D.C., working in the office of Senator John Danforth, and later as Director of The Senate Computer Center. Her most recent position was Deputy Sergeant at Arms for The United States Senate.

In addition to her illustrious career, Liz enjoyed music her entire life and she and Tom actively supported The Jacksonville Symphony. Liz sang with The Congressional Chorus and The Jacksonville Symphony Chorus, where she served as manager of the chorus. She was also a member of the Christ Episcopal Church Ponte Vedra Choir, and later a member of the St. John's Episcopal Cathedral Choir, traveling with them to sing at Canterbury Cathedral, Westminster Abbey and National Cathedral.

Liz adored her niece and nephews, Claire, Cody, and Andrew. She delighted in spending time with each of them, and they with her. It was a blessing to have all three McAlhany sisters eventually residing in Ponte Vedra, where they shared many gatherings.

While serving on the board of Friends of the Library in Ponte Vedra, Liz met the love of her life, Tom Vickery. They shared wonderful adventures traveling together, and hosted many dinners shared with friends and family. They could always be found sitting side by side, holding hands in the pew at St. John's Cathedral. Liz and Tom loved spending summers at their cabin on Lake Champlain in Colchester, VT, where they hosted many reunions. Life for Liz and Tom was happily shared with their pups: Dutchess, Sir Magnus, Duffy and Koko.

Liz was preceded in death by her husband (Tom Vickery), and her parents (Mary Ruth and Howard McAlhany). She is survived by her sisters Nancy McAlhany, Marianne McAlhany-Murray (Jim Murray), nephews Cody Parker (Keerthana Chandrashekar), Andrew Murray (Tessa Moxley), and niece Claire Murray (Mychal Tarr).

Following a private gathering for the family, a celebration of Liz's life for all family and friends will be held in Taliaferro Hall at St. John's Episcopal Cathedral, 256 E. Church Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202, on Saturday, November 1st at 12:30 pm. She requested everyone gather around Tom's piano and sing Brahms' "How Lovely Is Thy Dwelling Place".

"Death is not extinguishing the light; it is only putting out the lamp because the dawn has come." - R. Tagore