Sarah Blunt Barnett, a devoted mother, grandmother, and cherished community volunteer and leader, passed away peacefully on April 24, 2026, leaving a legacy defined by her zest for life, optimism, sense of service, creativity, and dedication to others.

Everyone seemed to comment on Sarah’s infectious laugh and easy smile. In remembering her, one friend wrote, “Sarah always made a point to cross a crowded room to seek out and welcome a shy person.” Another friend remembered how, after surviving a near-fatal cerebral aneurysm in the early 1980s, Sarah went on to raise her three children – calling her “a rock in the face of adversity.”

Born on February 25, 1940, in Detroit, Michigan, Sarah had a lifelong sense of curiosity, compassion, and commitment to service. She studied at the University of Colorado at Boulder, George Washington University in Washington, DC, and later earned a degree in Paralegal Studies from University College at the University of Maryland. 

Sarah’s belief in public service spanned decades of civic and nonprofit engagement. Early in her career, she worked for Sargent Shriver during his tenure as Director of the Office of Economic Opportunity as part of the War on Poverty. She later worked on Gene Andrew Maguire's congressional campaign in 1980.

She spent some of her favorite years in Surabaya, Indonesia during the late 1960s and 1970s, where she raised her children, built lifelong friendships, and was elected as the first expatriate president of the Women's International Club. In addition to co-managing an arts and crafts export company that benefited from her artistic eye, she designed locally made furniture and was a talented photographer. Sarah extensively photographed the Javanese Borobudur temple to create an exhibit of large-format black and white prints, celebrating the art and architecture of the temple and representing her affection for Indonesia.

She later built a career in the legal field, including her work at the law offices of Duane Morris, and remained deeply engaged in her community. She served as Vice President of the Board of Directors of the 3900 Cooperative in Washington, DC, and was an active member of the Iona Citizens Advisory Group, where she advocated for the well-being and dignity of senior citizens. Sarah volunteered extensively at Friendship Place, which provides housing services for individuals experiencing homelessness in Washington DC. Her commitment to service extended further through her role as Vice President of Pediatric AIDS HIV Care. She also served on the Board for North Country School and Camp Treetops (NCS/CTT), where she, her sister and cousins had been campers in the 1950s and where her children went in the 1980s. This work collectively reflected her belief in nurturing future generations and supporting mission-driven organizations. Towards the end of her working life, in recognition of her contributions as a paralegal, she was honored as an Outstanding Older Worker and represented the District of Columbia at the Experience Works Prime Time Awards in 2008.

Sarah was the daughter of Charles and Katherine Blunt and sister of Penelope Blunt. She was the proud and loving mother of Charles (Maureen), Dorsey (Andy), and John Henry and a devoted grandmother to Nora, Nicky, Olivia, and Lucy, and step-grandmother to Isabel, Alana, and Finn, all of whom brought her joy. She will be remembered for her generous spirit, warmth, creativity, and dedication to others.

A memorial service will be held on Friday July 17 at 11am at St Columba’s Episcopal Church at 4201 Albemarle St NW Washington DC 20016 (columba.org). In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to North Country School and Camp Treetops (NCS/CTT), an organization she cared deeply about and supported throughout her life: https://northcountryschool.org/giving/