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Sara Sherman was the beloved daughter of Dr. Donald and Barbara Sherman of Sudbury, and the dear sister of Jonathan and his wife Jane Sherman, and Robert and his wife Anastassiya Sherman. Sara was a graduate of Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School and Summa Cum Laude at Duke University, spending her junior year at the London School of Economics.

Her brother Jonathan’s eulogy beautifully describes Sara:

“Sara grew up surrounded by males. With two older brothers and a street full of boys there was only one option. After you beat ‘em, join ‘em. 

Racing through the neighborhood with us on bikes, baseball in the dead end, hockey in the driveway and tennis at a local club were all part of Sara’s after school and summer activities as a young girl. 

She was petite five one and keenly athletic. Wanting to continue baseball she joined the Sudbury Little League and played ball with the boys for a few years. She played soccer in Sudbury’s local leagues, attended soccer camp clinics, and played in school … She continued with tennis through high school playing on Lincoln-Sudbury’s Varsity team …

Besides the athletic prowess and high mental acuity she was also very intelligent. She excelled academically in school. She had amazing, affectionate relationships with her teachers.  …

Upon graduation from high school Sara started Duke University and as one would expect did very well. Crohn’s struck in December of her sophomore year. Along with the course load she undertook, she had to deal with multiple medical issues throughout Junior and Senior years. She became a frequent visitor at Duke University Medical Center.  

Summers at home were occupied with treatment as well. One thing that brought her physical comfort was chicken soup. Specifically, Mom’s chicken soup. Fed Ex made a fair chunk of change as my mom shipped cold packed soup to Sara at regular intervals for the next couple years. Crohn’s didn’t hold her back. Sara graduated Summa Cum Laude from Duke with a major in Economics and a minor in Psychology  …

Sara entered the ups and downs of the disease and chronic illness. But as with everything else in life she attacked it. She learned the disease, what worked for her, what didn’t. She learned her meds… intricately. She learned and managed triggers and flare ups. But Crohn’s always seemed to have something up its sleeve …

At one point she volunteered her time for a doctor in Boston who was a Crohn’s researcher. He saw something special after a while and hired her as a research coordinator allowing her to work whenever she could. 

During her stint there she learned the treatment protocols for Crohn’s, kept on top of new treatments, what worked, what didn’t. … [In the meantime she …] tolerated medications that were at times given in unbelievable doses to manage her multiple maladies. Docs pushed the envelope and broke new ground with Sara’s fight …

Through all this Sara maintained close contacts with many, many friends. One friend wrote:  ‘… She also always had such a positive attitude. Even when the circumstances would make most people bitter or angry, or want to give up, Sara never did. She always had a smile on her face.’ …

My mom and my dad became her full time caregivers, transportation, care coordinators. They dedicated their time and effort into getting Sara everything she couldn’t get or do for herself …

What I want you to take with you today is the memory of Sara’s ability to summon strength and fortitude in the face of adversity.  It was truly boundless and I was in awe of it.”

Sara died at age 40 in 2014. She is sorely missed and the Goodnow Library is honored to have this remarkable space named in her honor.