Sabra (Gilcreast) Upjohn

Sabra (Gilcreast) Upjohn, 91, formerly of Southborough, died Tuesday, August 26, 2025, in Shelburne, VT.  She was the daughter of Seaver R. and Sarah D. (Banks) Gilcreast, and wife of the late Richard V. Upjohn who died in 2012. Sabra is survived by her brother Dick Gilcreast and his wife Betsyan of Peterborough, NH, son Richard and his wife Susan McNally of Seattle, WA, daughter Emily Leist Vatis and her husband Chris of Charlotte, VT, her son Stephen of San Francisco, CA, her three grandchildren Kate, Chris, and Erin Leist and great-granddaughter Maddie.  As a child she spent three years in Rio de Janeiro and Porto Alegre, Brazil, riding horses on the beach and learning a new culture and language.  She graduated as valedictorian from Vassar College with a major in Physics, and received her MA from Columbia University in English. She spent the bulk of her career as a computer programmer. Music was a lifelong passion, and she sang in choirs from an early age.  She spent many happy years singing in church choirs in Southborough, both at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church and Pilgrim Congregational Church.  She also sang and toured with Assabet Valley Mastersingers.  She was well-known to her friends as a resource for any and all computer problems.  At her retirement community in Vermont, she was a frequent volunteer for community activities, including writing for the community newspaper and doing the accounts for the community gift shop.  She was an avid knitter and crocheter. 

A private service will be held at a later date for Sabra. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent in her memory to Pilgrim Congregational Church, 15 Common Street, Southborough, MA 01772.

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