Obituary and other stories:
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
February 10, 2008
“Sarah Jeanette Plants  
  Sarah Jeanette PLANTS May 2, 1985 ~ February 7, 2008 "Life to the Ultimate" Sarah died peacefully of a brain tumor related to Li-Fraumeni Syndrome, which earlier claimed her father, Jeff Plants, and her brother, Zachary David Plants. Well known in her Ballard community, Sarah graduated Ballard High in 2003 where she participated in many activities; was senior class VP and graduation emcee. She attended Loyal Heights Elementary and Whitman Middle School. She was the "bakery girl" at Great Harvest Baking Co. for many years. At an early age, she progressed from camper to junior counselor at Port Townsend Marine Science Center. Sarah loved Ultimate Frisbee. She was a founder of the Ballard High team and captain of the Women's team at UW where she was a senior in public health. She coached ultimate at Whitman Middle School. Sarah's first love was her husband, Douglas Sumi, a fellow Ultimate enthusiast and UW senior. She is also survived by parents, Maurice Cartner and Michelle Plants; her in-law's, Chris and Suzanne Sumi; siblings. Mara and Luca Cartner; and grandparents David and Jeanette Woodruff; as well as extended family and Ultimate team mates. Sarah's Memorial Celebration will be on Friday, February 15, 2008 at 4:30 p.m. at Whitman Middle School. Team jerseys recommended. Memorials may be sent to the UW Women's Ultimate Frisbee team (UWWF) c/o 1314 NW 105th St., Seattle, WA 98177. 
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The University of Washington men's and women's ultimate frisbee teams are mourning the loss of Sarah Plants today.  Sarah passed away last night after battling brain cancer for two months.  2008 was Sarah's 3rd year on the team and 2nd year as a captain.  Sarah was the ideal captain and teammate - inviting to new players, leading by example on and off the field, being efficient and clear with instructions for teammates - and managed to do it all while keeping the love for and from her teammates as the number one priority.  Sarah also contributed to the Seattle ultimate community by coaching Whitman Middle School ultimate at which she was naturally adept and was particularly loved by her young players. If you didn't know Sarah, you probably saw her at a tournament party - making trouble, drinking you under the table or dancing her ass off and just generally making things more fun for everyone.  Sarah lived in the moment with no regrets and her teammates are probably carrying on this tradition as I write this, having finished their first day competing at Trouble in Vegas. Thank you to all those out there who were so supportive during this difficult time for us - we greatly appreciate it.  I was overwhelmed by the sentiments from the ultimate community particularly in the last week - Sarah's family was extremely heartened by the support and love not only from the UW teams but also from those of you across the nation who took time out of your lives to think, write or pray about Sarah.
  Sarah is survived by her husband, Doug Sumi (UW Sundodgers), her sister Mara and her brother Luca (both of Whitman Middle).
Much love and thanks, Miranda Roth Coach, UW Element
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Sarah Plants dies of brain tumor
By Dean Wong
Monday, February 11, 2008
At 22, Sarah Plants was known for her multi-colored hair and bright smile that greeted customers at the Great Harvest Bread Company on Market Street.
  Last Thursday, Sarah died from a malignant brain tumor, the same disease that had claimed the life of her father Jeff and brother Zachary. She would have turned 23 on May 2.
  "She loved Ballard. She was a Ballard girl," said her mother, Michelle Plants.
Sarah attended kindergarten at Loyal Heights Elementary and then Whitman
Middle School. She was in the first graduating Class (2003) to spend all four years at the new Ballard High School.
  As a student leader, Sarah was the vice president of her senior class, editor of the yearbook as a senior and was the emcee at the graduation ceremonies.
  That year the ceremony was held at Qwest Stadium, where the video cameras projected her face on the large screen television with her mother snapping pictures of the moment.
  For her senior project at Ballard High, Sarah started an ultimate Frisbee team. She went on to become the captain of the ultimate Frisbee team at the University of Washington and found time to coach the Whitman Middle School B Frisbee team.
  "She loved the Whitman kid and really looked forward to coaching again in the spring," said Michelle Plants.
  Sarah worked at the Great Harvest Bread Company, where the cheerful attitude and free bread slices are a trademark. She was hired at the age of 16 and has been an employee there for seven years. She cut back her hours to attend
college.
  She was 29 credits short of receiving a degree in public health. When she died, the university gave her an honorary degree.
  Michelle Plants recalls her fondness for changing her hair color.
  "It was every color of the rainbow. It was an expression of independence and was eclectic," she said.
  Last August, Sarah married Doug Sumi. The couple decided to travel to Las Vegas, where they got married at the Graceland Church by "Elvis Presley."
  "Elvis sang 'Love Me Tender" and "Viva Las Vegas," said Michelle Plants.
  In October she was diagnosed with the disease and on Dec. 22 she suffered from a seizure.
  "She was awesome. She cared so much for other people. She was always smiling," said friend Terry Tipton.
  She is survived by mother Michelle, 11 year old brother Luca Cartner and 12 year old sister Mara Cartner. The two children have a different father and will not inherit the disease.
  Services will be held at Whitman Middle School on Friday, Feb. 15, 4:30 p.m. Memorial donations can be made to the University of Washington Women's Ultimate Frisbee Team, c/o 1314 N.W. 105th St., Seattle, WA 98177.1685