In memory of Saralee Kunde

Saralee McClelland Kunde died this week. She was 66 and had battled cancer for several years. Those who knew her understand what a loss this is for the county. They already know her almost unbelievably important role in creating the myth and magic of Sonoma County.
But if you don’t know or at least think you don’t, you might have skipped over her obituary last week and you may be questioning why you should keep reading but let me assure you, even if you didn’t know her personally, you have experienced her work, her cause, the good she did and you should take a moment to mourn her passing.
I can say her reach extends well beyond personal connections because that’s exactly how we knew her here at the paper. Not through a direct personal connection but because we were constantly reminded of her non-stop advocacy on behalf of Sonoma County people, places and causes. Whether we were writing an agricultural story about grape crops, a feature story about local teachers or a lifestyle story about fashion, time and time again we’d hear someone say. “I’ll ask Sara,” or “Sara helped us with it” or “it’s going to be at Saralee’s place.”  
She was a tireless advocate for local causes and the repercussions of her support extend far and wide. If you have a child in a vocational program at a local school, you owe her thanks. If you have a child in 4-H or FFA, you owe her thanks. If you know someone in the wine or related hospitality business you owe her thanks. If you think the world is just a better place with flowers, you owe her thanks.
How did she become so important to local residents? Through a combination of industry advocacy, hands on support for nonprofits and an ability to inspire others.
Some of her work focused on the businesses of Sonoma County. She was an accomplished individual within the wine business but she didn’t just sit on her laurels as a quality grape grower. She pushed her industry to expand its reach, develop its brand and to work collaboratively to raise the reputation of the area to its near mythic status. Her efforts created hundreds of local jobs and helped build an industry.
She parlayed that wealth into what was practically a second career supporting nonprofits. She and her husband converted part of their property into an event center that has hosted benefits for needy animals, agricultural causes and local students. You’ll be hard pressed to find an individual who hasn’t on some level benefitted from the presence of her trademarked hat at a fundraiser.
But as important as the action was the motivation. Saralee believed in this place, in all that was grown, raised or settled here. She saw the alchemy of soil, sun and life as a cause in and of itself, and she took it upon herself to spread the truth, to open the eyes of others to the wonders she found here. Her passion was infectious and perhaps her greatest legacy will be the hundreds of people she inspired to work on behalf of others.
Sara was a farmer who surpassed her expected role. The fruits of her labor, both literal and figurative, will continue for years to come and as the beneficiaries of her work county residents should take a moment to mourn her passing and give thanks that her life bloomed here.
Matthew Hall is the editor of the Windsor Times newspaper, a sister publication of the Healdsburg Tribune.