Sara Stevenson, 75, died on Wednesday, May 14, at Carle Hospital following a heart attack. She was born April 2, 1933, in Moline, the daughter of Ralph and Genevieve Edwall Stephenson.

She married David Stevenson in 1954. She is survived by sons Michael of Urbana, Paul (Jane) of Colorado Springs, and Brian of Los Angeles, daughter Linda of Cincinnati, her brother Ralph (Bonnie) of Moline, and grandchildren Jerry Ward of Cincinnati, Emily Stevenson and Luke Stevenson of Phoenix.

She graduated from Moline High School in 1952 and from Eastern Illinois University in 1980. She was especially proud of her college degree, having begun at Monmouth College in 1952, leaving to start a family. She resumed her education in 1971 while raising her family and working full time.

She was employed for 25 years with the Champaign Consortium, her responsibilities ranging from Eligibility Counselor to Chief Staff of Job Club. She retired in 2004. Ms. Stevenson loved her work helping others find employment. She returned to the Consortium on a part time basis after retiring. Throughout her career and retirement people she had helped find employment would approach and thank her.

Ms. Stevenson was a long-time member of the League of Women Voters, the Urban League of Champaign County, the NAACP and the ACLU. For a number of years she served as a Democratic Party precinct committeewoman. Politics were a life-long passion for her. She would argue long and loud with anyone who did not share her zeal for civil rights.

Ms. Stevenson served on the board of the Helen E. Johnson-Salem preschool. She was a Den Mother for the Cub Scouts and a Girl Scout Assistant. She was board member, nominating committee chair and treasurer for the Champaign County Women Against Rape.

Ms. Stevenson was a devoted and loving daughter, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She will be dearly missed.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 18, at Renner-Wikoff Chapel, 1900 Philo Road, Urbana.

Memorial contributions to the Champaign County Humane Society or CatsNap.org