Sara Christine Arason

Sara Christine Arason—Sally—passed away peacefully on July 28 at the age of 72 at the Fairfax Nursing Center. A lifelong Arlingtonian, Sally was born at Arlington Hospital on May 5, 1950 to Mary and Jacob Arason. Sally attended Arlington County schools, though she graduated from Merivale H.S. in Ottawa, Ontario when her father was stationed there. After High School, Sally attended James Madison Univ. where she majored in Russian Studies. During her time as an undergrad, Sally won a state-wide short story competition. After graduating from JMU, Sally worked at Kann’s before becoming an assistant women’s fashion buyer for Giant Department Stores. She then worked as a Russian linguist at NSA before transferring to the Library of Congress where she spent the bulk of her career, starting at the Federal Research Division, before rising to Specialist Assistant to the Director for Partnerships and Outreach Programs, and later returned to manage the Kluge Prize and worked directly with the Librarian of Congress. During her tenure at the Library Sally worked on a number projects upgrading technology systems, including the Integrated Library System (ILS), and the last being the application portal for the John W. Kluge Center. Sally was a member of the Arlington-based Vagabond Puppet People, sang in the Potomac Valley Opera Company, taught voice, acted in dinner theaters, sang in church and at private gatherings, and volunteered at the SPCA, Meals on Wheels and mentored children at Randolph Elementary School. She studied step dance, Spanish dance and was a pretty good potter. She sang the National Anthem at RFK field before a Redskins-Raiders game. In addition to being an avid Star Trek fan an UFO adherent, she was a supportive and generous person. Sally hated to fly except to Hawaii. She is survived by her sister Ann Arason Heidig, brother Jon Arason and his wife Jane, her niece Carey Arason and all the people whose lives she touched and friendships she made. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Rikki’s Refuge or The American Brain Foundation, Lewy body Dementia. A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, August 13 at 11:00 AM at Faith Lutheran Church in Arlington.