Sarah's Obituary
Sarah Frances Schmid, 79, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her close family and loved ones, on Sunday, March 30, 2025, in Wichita Falls, Texas, after a courageous and difficult battle with Parkinson's disease.
Born February 25, 1946, in Muskogee, Oklahoma, to Wilson and Mary Martha Pruitt, Sarah grew up in Wichita Falls where she was known for her beauty, popularity, and vibrant personality. A student at Rider High School, from which she graduated in 1964, she was both a lifeguard and cheerleader – early expressions of the care giving and enthusiasm that would define her life.
Sarah attended the University of Oklahoma, where she earned a degree in English with honors, developing the deep appreciation for literature and the arts that would become a lifelong passion. Her professional journey led her through an art gallery in Austin, to the National Endowment for the Arts in Washington, DC, and later to Boston's Prison Arts Project, where she brought creative expression to those behind bars, believing in the transformative power of art.
In 1979, Sarah married Matthew Schmid and they settled in Medfield, Massachusetts, where she would spend the next 37 years. She embraced New England wholeheartedly, falling in love with its seasons, lush green landscapes, and especially the vibrant cultural, intellectual, and artistic life of Greater Boston. Her gardens became her sanctuary, and as a beekeeper, she developed a profound connection to the natural world, finding joy in nurturing all forms of life.
Sarah's greatest joy and deepest commitment was to her children, Logan and Sarah. She cultivated their curiosity and wonder, immersing them through Boston's rich cultural landscape – from the Museum of Fine Arts to the Boston Symphony Orchestra. In everything she did – whether attending countless music recitals or school events – Sarah's profound pride in her children was evident. She opened the world to them through travels across continents, instilling in them her own intrepid nature, fearlessness, and boundless curiosity about the world.
Those who knew Sarah will remember how she could light up a room when she walked in. A natural community builder, her involvement spanned from the Junior League of Boston to dedicated advocacy within the Medfield Public Schools and numerous other local organizations. Sarah was known for her fearlessness and tenacity, and her gift for organizing and helping others.
For the last two decades, Sarah was a cherished presence in Alcoholics Anonymous, where her sincerity, wisdom, and compassion created a legacy of healing that extended far beyond herself. In this community, as in all areas of her life, she transformed challenges into opportunities for growth and connection.
In 2018, Sarah returned to her Wichita Falls roots to be close to her beloved siblings and extended family. Even as Parkinson's disease gradually claimed her mobility and voice, it could never diminish her essential nature – she became known around the Presbyterian Manor where she resided for her warmth, humor and compassion, and her bright spark continued to inspire all who spent time with her.
Sarah is survived by her siblings Ford Swanson, Logan Swanson, and MaryGrace McAlister; her children Logan Schmid and Sarah Schmid Groth; and her grandchildren Mateo, Paloma and Charlotte, who carry forward her legacy of curiosity, creativity, and love.
As a final act of generosity and dedication to knowledge and helping others, Sarah donated her brain to the Harvard Tissue Resource Center, contributing to research to understand causes of brain disorders, benefitting the lives of many in present and future generations.
A celebration of Sarah's life will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Wichita Falls, Texas, on Friday, April 4th at 3:00 pm. She will be laid to rest in her beloved Massachusetts.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.