Sabrina Dalzell

On September 19, 1991, the Dalzell family was blessed with an incredible gift. It was a bright and sunny California day, made memorable by the birth of a baby girl named Sabrina. The baby’s mother, Amanda, was relieved to hold a healthy 7lb. 7oz. daughter in her arms. As Amanda got to know her daughter, she noticed that the baby rarely cried. She slept well too, hardly ever giving Amanda a sleepless night. Amanda knew there was something special about Sabrina, and other people noticed it as well. Sabrina always had an enthusiastic smile on her face and she was full of personality.

As she grew older, Sabrina could not wait to start talking. Her first word was “Mama,” though if you ask her Grandpa David, he will insist it was “Papa.” Papa and Sabrina had a close relationship right from the start. As a father figure, he would do anything for her, even hand over his stuffed Orangutan named Louie that Sabrina loved. It was her favorite toy, though she loved playing Barbie with her friends as well.

Like any child, Sabrina liked gifts. Friends and family loved to watch her face light up with excitement as she unwrapped a colorful package. Though she probably did not know it, Sabrina gave a gift in this process as well. Her bubbly enthusiasm brought a smile to everyone’s face. Sabrina liked being the center of attention, and her mother had a sneaking suspicion that Sabrina would be a ham. Her hunch proved to be true.

When it was time for Sabrina to enter Preschool, she was more than ready. Sabrina rushed in the door and began socializing with the other children who were still clinging to their mothers’ skirts. She loved school because she could be around lots of people. She was ready to befriend everyone, including her teachers. Every teacher was Sabrina’s favorite, though her second grade teacher Mrs. Fay stood out. Sabrina would go out of her way to visit with Mrs. Fay or help her in any way she could. Sabrina’s popularity among students and teachers won her the unofficial title of “welcoming person” at South Hamlin School.

After school, Sabrina would return home to spend time with her little brother, Tony. She loved being a big sister and took the role very seriously. She and Tony were never far apart. In fact, their mother truly believed they were soul mates. Sabrina was not only Tony’s protector; she cared for him like a mother. Oftentimes, she would study with him and quiz him over upcoming lessons. Tony had his own special way with Sabrina and could talk his big sister into doing just about anything.

Sabrina was not afraid to indulge in life and was far too busy for TV; she had to be out and about. She spent a lot of time with her cousins, particularly her best friend Ashley, who was more like a sister. There were many other girls who proudly called Sabrina their friend, including Elsha, Diane, Jessica, Alexis, Amber, Kelsea, and Hannah. Hannah, in fact, shared Sabrina’s birthday. The girls did everything together. They would play dress-up, go swimming, roller skate, hang out together, or – Sabrina’s favorite – dance and sing to music. Sabrina could often be found “shaking her booty” to the latest song.

Whatever she was doing, Sabrina always kept her friends on the move. She did not like to settle into one activity for too long. If she had it her way (which she usually did) Sabrina would take the girls somewhere where there were lots of people. And no matter what they did, Sabrina always made sure everyone was included in the fun. For Valentine’s Day, she wanted to give all her friends special gift to show her love – a red heart that said “I Love You” on the front and gave the plan of salvation with John 3:16 on the inside:

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Sabrina understood these words better than most children and she was always ready to share her knowledge with others. She was a devoted member of Calvary Baptist Church, which she joined last fall with her Grandpa David and Grandma Jean.

Faith was something very close to Sabrina’s heart and it was reflected in everything she did. In 1999, she attended a Bible camp near Manton, where she accepted Christ as her savior. This year, Sabrina proudly finished her Awana book and received an award. The book had become part of her daily life. She had a schedule taped to her bedroom door that she followed quite strictly. One of the items was to study her Awana Bible verses every day.

Sabrina’s Sunday school teacher, Pam, could tell that Sabrina had a deep faith in God. She loved having Sabrina in class every week because her natural charm always kept everyone laughing. In fact, at a recent Church sleepover, Sabrina lost to her teacher Pam in a belching contest. Sabrina loved to play games, but she played to win - she was not a good loser. Luckily, she and Pam shared a special relationship. If Sabrina had to lose a belching contest to anyone, she was glad it could be Pam. Sabrina befriended Pam’s husband Buck as well. She often teased him about his hair – or lack thereof.

Sabrina was glad that her Grandpa David shared in her faith. As her father figure, he had been the man Sabrina respected and looked up to all her life. She loved him so much that she liked to think of him as her own personal grandpa. He was the one person she did not like to share. When Papa happened to be on the road, Sabrina would have sleepovers with her Grandma Jean. Sabrina asked her grandma to teach her to make Papa’s favorite dish – spaghetti. Grandma Jean loved teaching her and they would laugh together for hours in the kitchen. Papa would return home late at night to find Sabrina in his bed, and he would have to find another place to sleep. And when he wanted to watch the races, Sabrina would start debates with him just to shift his attention away from the TV. Papa did not mind though. He loved her unconditionally. In his eyes, Sabrina could do no wrong.

With a smile that filled an entire room, Sabrina Dalzell was the girl everyone wanted to know. She was beautiful indeed, yet there was a depth to her that people felt instantly. They were drawn to the kindness and unconditional love she expressed in everything she did. Sabrina’s life was brief, but she made an extraordinary impact on many lives. Friends and family will always remember the joy she willingly shared with the world.

Sabrina died on Saturday, June 19, 2004 and is now safe in the arms of Jesus. She will be deeply missed by her mother Amanda, her brother Tony James, her grandparents David and Jean Dalzell of Ludington, her great-grandmothers Clara Dalzell of Traverse City and Betsy Crepeau of Flint, her aunts and uncles Lori Dalzell of Kingsley, David Dalzell and Danny Dalzell both of Traverse City, Melissa (Christopher) Butler of Buckley, Melinda (Mike) Freas of Mesick, Scott (Patty) Dalzell of Ludington, and Deidre James of Kansas City, many great aunts and uncles, cousins, classmates, and friends.

A Celebration of Life service will be held for Sabrina at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 25 at Cornerstone Baptist Church, 121 N. Nelson Rd., Ludington, with her pastor, the Rev. Timothy Yankee officiating. Friends may meet with her family for a time of visitation on Thursday evening from 5-8 p.m. at the Cornerstone Baptist Church. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to the Sabrina Dalzell Trust Fund c/o West Shore Bank. You may read Sabrina’s Life Story, leave a memory for her family, sign the guestbook, or make a memorial contribution at www.lifestorynet.com. Funeral arrangements are being cared for by the Stephens Life Story Funeral Home in Scottville.