Sara Jane Duchateau

Sara Jane DuChateau
July 13, 1940 - June 30, 2022

Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and sister, Sara Jane DuChateau left us on June 30, 2022 at the age of 81. Known to many friends by her nickname, Sally, she was born July 13, 1940 in Marshalltown, Iowa to Dorothy and Otto Gustafson, she grew up in Oak Park and Hinsdale, Illinois. It was in Hinsdale's Public Library where Sally met Paul DuChateau, both at the age of 14. Sara was interested in books, and Paul was interested in meeting Sara. Little did either of them know this was the beginning of a 67 year relationship.

After attending Grinnell College, she lived for a time in Manhattan where she traveled the world as a TWA flight attendant. Traveling would inspire Sara for the rest of her life. She married Paul in 1966 and lived in Connecticut, Indiana and Kentucky before the family settled in Colorado in 1973.

She was always creative, an accomplished pianist, watercolor artist, and would often draw in her sketchbook. She especially loved the art, music and cuisine of France, which led her to buy and restore a 19th century home in the small town of Clamecy, several hours outside of Paris. She and her family enjoyed many memorable visits to the region, where they made new friends and enjoyed a slower pace to life, including long walks, and beautiful sunsets from their rooftop terrace with a glass of wine and baguette.

But most of all, she loved her family and was devoted to her husband and children. She encouraged them in all their endeavors. From her husband's long career as a
mathematician, now retired from Colorado State, to her eldest son Christian's interest in writing, which led him to become a journalist at CNN. A shared love of music inspired her younger son, Charles to become a successful musician and teacher. When the boys became teenagers the family decided they needed a daughter to balance things out and adopted Danielle. Sara and her mother travelled to South Korea in 1984 to bring Danielle home - on Sara's 42nd birthday! Danielle, with a degree in French was also greatly influenced by her mother. Sara steadfastly stayed by Danielle's side as she battled cancer as a child, twice. And to the very end, she spoke of how important that trip to Korea was to her and how happy she was to have brought Danielle home.

Sara was preceded in death by her parents and her younger brother, Robert Gustafson. She is survived by younger brother, Otto "Chip" Gustafson, husband Paul DuChateau, daughter Danielle DuChateau, sons Charles duChateau and Christian DuChateau, daughters-in-law Annbritt duChateau and Melissa DuChateau and grandchildren Fabien duChateau, Julien duChateau, Gabrielle DuChateau and Robie DuChateau.

Sara Jane "Sally" DuChateau had a warm laugh, sharp wit and a huge heart. She will be greatly missed by her many friends and especially her family. We are all so fortunate to have been a part of her life and she will be forever in our hearts.