Sarah Banuelos

Sarah Monte Bañuelos, 17, of San Pedro, died Thursday, October 15, in a car crash. She was a passenger in a car hit head-on by a driver speeding the wrong way in the carpool lane on the 91 freeway in Carson.
Sarah's life was tragically cut short. A senior at Port of Los Angeles High School (POLAHS), she was just starting to make plans for her future, getting her driver's license, and exploring possible colleges.
Sarah was born on April 6, 1998, the first child of Brooke and Hector Bañuelos. She was a sunny child, with a beautiful smile, and whole-heartedly welcomed her brothers, Jeremy, 16, Max, 13, and Diego, 8. For these boys, she was playmate, confidante, mentor, teaser and fellow conspirator. She was also like a sister to many of her cousins.
From an early age, Sarah loved to sing and dance – first, in performances for family as she stood in front of Shirley Temple videos on the television screen, and later in annual productions at South Shores Magnet School for the Visual and Performing Arts. This is where her artistic abilities, in drawing and painting, also started to blossom.
Sarah went on to attend Dodson Middle School in Rancho Palos Verdes. But it was at POLAHS where Sarah came into her own. Service hours were spent in the youth and government program at the San Pedro & Peninsula YMCA (SPPY). Her favorite class was Mr. Zrucky's AP Environmental Science.
At POLAHS, Sarah explored a range of opportunities – from basketball to the dance team, where she was remembered as "one of the babies of the team. She was so giggly and full of life." At talent shows, she performed on stage, singing and playing the ukulele. Music was her passion – and one she shared with her dad.
Since Sarah's death, there's been an amazing outpouring of support. Close friends and strangers, classmates and teachers, all have stories to tell. For the family, it's been a blessing to hear how many lives Sarah touched. And sharing the pain of losing Sarah has brought us all the beginning of healing and consolation.
We pray for ongoing peace for all who loved Sarah and look forward to seeing her in God's kingdom where there are no more tears, but eternal joy. As a former grade school teacher said, "She had the sweetest soul! I know she is an angel in heaven because she was one on earth!"
Sarah is survived by parents, Brooke and Hector Bañuelos, brothers, Jeremy, Max, and Diego Bañuelos, grandparents, Rosa and Lino Bañuelos, of San Pedro, and grandparents, Lee Henry, of Kansas, and Julie and John Newlin, of Kansas, as well as numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.
When her grandfather Lino visited her memorial plot, he said that it was something he never envisioned for his beloved "Sarita:" "I wanted to buy her a car. I wanted to pay for her wedding."
Services are scheduled for Monday, October 26, at St. Peter's Episcopal Church on the grounds of Green Hills Memorial Park, 27501 Western Avenue, Rancho Palos Verdes. There will be a Public Rosary Service at 11am, followed by a private service for the family. All are welcomed to return for the public graveside service at 2 pm. Friends are invited to bring one white flower to send with Sarah.
In lieu of additional flowers, donations for the family will be accepted at the Long Live Sarah GoFundMe campaign: https://www.gofundme.com/xs6mzvjg .


Funeral Home:
Green Hills Mortuary and Memorial Chapel
27501 S.Western Ave.
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
US 90275