Fifty years ago I met Sarah in third year Russian Composition class in college. After that we went our separate ways, but a few years later Sarah sent word to me about a job at the Library of Congress that required Russian. So I applied. I did not get the job, but a month later, the assistant division chief who had interviewed me called me and told me there was a similar job available and it was mine if I wanted it. And thus began my Library career.
My co-worker was Jeannine Cap, who turned out to be a good friend of Sarah, and the three of us became the "birthday trio." We celebrated birthdays and other holidays together, met for lunches and brunches, and took day trips. Sarah and Jeannine would become travel companions and go to China together.
Sarah was like a sponge. She embraced everything Scottish, Japanese, recordings made by vocalists with amazing voices and eventually settled on figure skating. I was probably a little jealous at her ease of immersion in anything she tried and her passion.
She was truly a good friend and would seek me out at work for a chat and it was nice to have a respite. She was there for me outside of work too. My mother-in-law surprised me with a baby shower. All my sisters in law were there and although my mother-in-law had invited several of my friends, Sarah was the only one who came.
When I think of Sarah and her great patience, what comes to mind is: "Love is patient, love is kind, love does not behave rudely, love endures all things." This was Sarah. I never heard unkind words from her, and she had the patience of Job. There was usually a little smile on her lips unless she was speaking about serious matters.
Created: 9 Aug 2022
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