A woman of class and panache
What a loss, we are heartbroken and stunned to hear this news months later.
Joanna and I met Sara in the early 90's, when, having moved to Lakeville CT, down the road from Norfolk, she decided to return to the piano and engaged me as her teacher. She studied with me for a couple of years, working on Chopin, Bach, Mozart, some French music. She was a wonderful student, very dedicated and self-deprecating. She refused to experiment with improvisations, which I suggested would be a fun, creative thing to add to her piano toolbox. Whether she was afraid of making mistakes or didn't feel like she had permission to make something up, it was about the only facet of her multitalented life that didn't match the brilliance of everything else she turned her attention to. As we became friends with Sara and later with Alec, and saw her whip up fantastic meals, discourse on art and literature, sheep farming, food and travel, our respect for her grew and grew. She loved the Mason & Hamlin in Norfolk that our mutual friend Gary Ross sold to her, and Joanna and I were honored to entertain guests with Gershwin and Cole Porter, which she adored. Her generosity to us included giving us the keys to the beautiful house in La Tour d'Aigues for a few magical days in 2005. We were her last guests there. She took us (including our two children) to lunches in New York, and boating in Stonington with David. We went to concerts together, she came to silent films I was accompanying at MoMA and Lincoln Center, and she helped fund a production of an opera of mine, as well as projects by friends. She attracted wonderful men—Alec, David, Edmond, to name those we have known—and many wonderful friends. And everything she did was with the greatest panache, warmth and insouciance. We will miss her fiercely and wish we could celebrate her life in person with everyone. Stay safe and live life to the fullest as Sara did.