– Dobbling, Muehlenkamp-Erschell Funeral Homes
We are sad to announce the passing of Sara Morlidge Hamel, 100 years old, on Friday October 30, 2026. She was a person of “high impact” and known to many in the community of Fort Thomas. Sara, (Pinky, Gammy) was born in Sharonville, Ohio, and grew up in Ft. Thomas, where she was an honors graduate of Highlands High school. She then went on to Miami University where she majored in fine arts, beginning a lifelong career as an artist and actress. She was president of her Delta Gamma sorority and a member of Mortar Board. She moved back to Fort Thomas to live with her parents, Pauline and Elihu Morlidge, on Riverside Parkway. She was able to land a position as eighth grade English teacher at Highlands High and continued there for twenty plus years. She loved her career and remembered many of her students years after she taught them. She also was in charge of the theater productions at Highlands, working hard to put on numerous plays.
Throughout her life, she was an active member and actor in the Village Players–something she truly enjoyed. Additionally, she continued as an artist, taking art classes, painting, and drawing in Fort Thomas and during her many travels. She held art exhibits and donated proceeds to benefit St. Andrews Church, the Wood Hudson Cancer Research Laboratory in Newport Ky., WCET in Cincinnati, and the Ft. Thomas Education Association. She loved everything about Ft. Thomas. She was active in the Cosmopolitan Club and St. Andrews Episcopal Church, where she was responsible for making the palms for Palm Sunday. She appeared as Grand Marshall of the Ft. Thomas Fourth of July parade, which was one of the great moments in her life.
Sara is survived by her two children: Tim Hamel and wife Debbie Bathiany Hamel; and Sara “Tunie” Hamel and her husband Wes Sowers. Her grandchildren include Lindsey and Trevor Steinhauser, Emily and Chris Paterson, and Brady and Hannah Hamel in Fort Thomas; and Jake Sowers and Maia Sowers-Ruffolo and Russell Ruffolo in Pittsburgh. Great grandchildren include: Riley, Alexis, and Graeme Steinhauser, Maren Patterson, and Ellis and Fallon Hamel. Lastly, she has a niece Liz Morlidge and a nephew John Morlidge. We will all miss her so much!
A memorial service will be held for Sara at St. Andrews Episcopal Church on Saturday December 5th at 11 a.m. with reception to follow.
Memorial contributions can be made to St. Andrews Episcopal Church, WCET in Cincinnati, Wood Hudson Cancer Research Center, Newport, or the Village Players.
Online condolences can be given at dmefuneral.com
Dobbling, Muehlenkamp-Erschell Funeral Homes are caring for the family.
