Sarah Hatfield Mussett, 62, of Stillwater, passed from this life on Friday, Jan. 18, 2013, surrounded by her loving family.  Services have been entrusted to the care of Palmer Marler Funeral Home and will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Palmer Marler Funeral Home Chapel.

Sarah was born on Feb. 28, 1950 in Ponca City, Okla., to Donald Houston Hatfield and Dorothy Jean Payne. She began her schooling in Ponca City, before her family relocated to Aspen, Colo., where she spent her third through eighth grade years.  In 1965, the family moved back to Ponca City where Sarah attended Ponca City High School, graduating with the class of 1968. Following her graduation, Sarah went to William Woods College in Fulton, Mo. After a short time, Sarah moved to Stillwater to attend Oklahoma State University, where she would go on to earn a bachelor’s degree in English literature and a master’s degree in English/Technical Writing. While at OSU, Sarah met and married Kevin Mussett. This marriage would last for nearly 40 years and their love produced two beautiful children: Jon in 1976 and Katie in 1981.

Sarah Mussett was a dedicated public servant. In 1974, Sarah began a long and distinguished career with the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education. She began her career in the curriculum department and retired in 2006 as the manager of organization and system ddevelopment. In 1986, Sarah spent several months in Pakistan as part of the USAID Power Distribution and Rural Electrification Project. Sarah was very proud of her service to the Pakistani people. Following her retirement from Career Tech, Sarah served as the chief of staff for the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department in Oklahoma City.  Most recently, she served as the business manager for the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board.  

Sarah’s dedication extended to her community. She was a member of the Leadership Oklahoma Class IX, Stillwater United Way, YMCA Foundation Board of Directors, Junior League of Stillwater, Leadership Stillwater Class VIII, Stillwater Group Home Human Rights Committee, the Junior Service League, and Sarah was instrumental in establishing the Stillwater Teen Center.

When she was not working or serving the community, Sarah had a passion for traveling, sports, entertaining, current events and crocheting. If the weather was nice, you could expect to find her outdoors directing Kevin on proper landscaping and enjoying the pool.  Her greatest joy was spending time with her friends and family, especially the time she was able to spend with her granddaughter Sara Kay; whose laughter was said to be Sarah’s best medicine.  

Sarah was a beautiful woman both inside and out and she was a progressive thinker.  She was fiercely intelligent and a charismatic and witty leader.  Her optimistic outlook and nurturing spirit endeared her to many.  Sarah Mussett was an amazing and kind woman who got the most out of each day of her life.  She was a dedicated wife, a loving mother, a thoughtful daughter, a driven and reliable employee and an honest and loyal friend.  Her life left a mark on this earth and her legacy of compassionate selflessness will live on through the lives of those she loved and touched during her amazing 62 years of life.  She will be missed by many.

Sarah was preceded in death by her mother Dorothy Payne and her step-mother Rosalee Mae Hatfield.  She is survived by her husband Kevin Mussett, of the home.  Her children: Jon Andrew Mussett and wife Rebecca, of Newport, R.I., and Katie Mussett Roberts and husband Garry, of Stillwater. Three sisters: Susan Hatfield and husband John Sweet, of Columbia, Mo.,  Sandy Hatfield and husband Greg Magruder, of Lexington, Ky., and Myra Greenberg of Pittsburgh, Pa.; and her father: Donald Hatfield of Ponca City.  She is also survived by her granddaughter: Sara Kay Roberts.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Sarah’s name to Judith Karman Hospice in care of Palmer Marler Funeral Home 5106 N. Washington, Stillwater, OK 74075.

Condolences may be sent to the family via an online guestbook at http://www.pmcfh.com/ or on facebook at www.facebook.com/pmcfh