Sara Marie White

MADISON - Sara Marie White, aged 46, of Madison, Wis., passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, Aug. 9, 2024. Born on Dec. 29, 1977, in Middletown, Ohio, Sara was the beloved daughter of Susan "Susie" White-Gregoire and Jon Christopher “Chris” White.

After spending her childhood in Middletown, Ohio, Sara moved to Colorado and graduated from Rampart High School in Colorado Springs. She went on to pursue higher education at the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she earned her MLA degree. Her love of knowledge and passion for justice led her to a career path including archivist, researcher, speaker, and published author.

As a leader in the Society of American Archivists, Sara played a significant role in the dialogue on disabilities within the organization, serving on the original Archives Management/Records Management Joint Working Group on the Accessibility in Archives and Records Management. She also co-chaired the Task Force to Revise Best Practices for Working with Archives Employees and Archives Researchers with Physical Disabilities.

In her own words: “While people with disabilities today are now a diverse cultural group and no longer a hidden population, both are part of history deserving documentation that needs to be accessible for all.”

Sara was courageous, joyful, and compassionate. A dedicated member of the Epilepsy Foundation of Wisconsin, she played a key role in establishing the scholarship fund that now bears her name. Her commitment to serving others was also evident in her long-time volunteer work at the Beacon Resource Center, and numerous community service projects.

An involved member of the Blackhawk Church, Sara was known for her vibrant spirit and zest for life. She brightened the lives of everyone she met with her magical smile and her love for crazy socks and hats, sunflowers, M&Ms, smiley faces, cats, and her Cincinnati Reds.

When not righting the wrongs of the world, Sara could be found expounding on baseball at Toastmasters, reading a thick work of non-fiction, or travelling the country for family celebrations.

Sara is survived by her loving mother, Susie Gregoire; her stepfather, Gary Gregoire, her siblings, Elizabeth Welter (Tony), Graham White (Courtney) and Marshall White (Megan); and a host of other relatives, including her Uncle Bill (Susan), Aunt Tina, Uncle Bobby (Shirley), Aunt Bonnie, and Aunt Jeana (Brian); as well as numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends and colleagues.

She was preceded in death by her father, Jon Christopher White; aunts, Kathi and Beth; uncles, Bob and Dan; paternal grandparents, Bob and Barbara White; and maternal grandparents, Betty and Graham Hall.

A celebration of Sara's life will be held at Blackhawk Church, 9620 Brader Way, Middleton, on Monday, Aug.19, 2024, at 11 a.m., with Pastor Adam Penning presiding. Visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Monday.

In honor of Sara's love for fun socks, guests are encouraged to wear their favorite pair to the celebration. Additionally, attendees are invited to bring new packaged socks and underwear to donate to the unhoused at Beacon Resource Center in Madison, a cause close to Sara's heart.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Epilepsy Foundation of Wisconsin, 6666 Odana Rd., #108, Madison, WI 53719 or online to https://epilepsywisconsin.org/ noting the "Sara White Epilepsy Scholarship Fund" (SWES Fund), or to Blackhawk Church, Middleton, Wis.

Online condolences may be shared at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson West

Funeral & Cremation Care

7435 University Ave.
(608) 831-6761