Tribute for Savannah Leigh Hamilton

Savannah Leigh Hamilton was born on May 26, 1994, in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, and passed away unexpectedly at home in Portland, Oregon, on October 14, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of light and love.

Savannah graduated from Newberg High School where she was a twelve-sport athlete, tenor sax player, and President of the Key Club.  She then attended George Fox University, where she continued to run cross-country, obtaining her bachelor's degree in psychology in 2016, and going on to earn her doctorate degree in  clinical psychology in 2021.

Savannah completed an internship at the Loma Linda University School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry and her residency at Providence Medical Center in Portland, Oregon.  She then worked as a psychologist with LifeStance Health, providing compassionate and dedicated psychotherapy, with a passion for empowering others.

Savannah leaves behind many family members and friends who loved her beyond measure, including, but expanding far beyond, her parents, Bob and Libbi Hamilton, her sisters, Laura Beth Blackwelder and Emily Hamilton, her brother-in-law, Ben Blackwelder, and the special loves of her life - her niece Juliet Blackwelder, and her nephews, Jonas Halstead and Aiden Blackwelder.  Her dear family also includes uncles and aunts, Robert and Kim Burney, and Robin and Bob Minard, cousins Heather and Alan Minard, and godbrothers, Teddy and Alex Gajewski.  We are so grateful for all who have loved her so very well throughout her life!

Savannah loved God with all her heart, and sought to shine that love wholeheartedly on others.  She faithfully lived out her spiritual and community values, often volunteering for those in need and helping in her sister's daycare center.  She was an adventurous free spirit who loved the whole wide world and all the people in it.  She had a deep love of nature and for all creatures great and small, including her faithful rescue dog, Tyrion.  She loved to travel, and had journeyed to Ecuador, Egypt, Europe, Egypt, the Galápagos Islands, Japan, and Mexico. She celebrated her 31st birthday by a hot air balloon ride with her sister, Emily, and she had upcoming trips planned  with dear friends, including one to Belize.  

Oh, and she could make us laugh and she was the most wonderful gift giver!

Savannah was a bright light in our often-challenging world.  Her golden heart, beautiful should, whimsical spirit and impassioned commitment to social justice radiated throughout her life on earth.  

                                                              Profoundly loved and profoundly missed.

 In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to either Doctors Without Borders or to a college fund for her niece and nephews, with details available from rhamilton@georgefox.edu. 

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