Sarah M Worthington

Sarah Margaret Worthington, 85, of Findlay and Columbus, Ohio died September 20, 2017. She was born on May 27, 1932 in Columbus, Ohio the daughter of John and Dorothy Graves (Herron). Sarah was a born actress, a thespian with a lot of creativity.

While attending Linden-McKinley High School, Sarah noticed there was no panther mascot for the team sports; she sewed up her own panther costume and showed up one day to cheer on the team. Of course, the school immediately recognized her as the official mascot. She was also a high school radio personality and made regular presentations at WCOL Radio in Columbus, OH.

Sarah married and started a family in Columbus. They moved to Findlay, Ohio and soon the family grew to six children. Sarah was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. As a young parent, she was an active Jaycette performing community support, having communal picnics, and creating casserole for pot luck meals.

Sarah performed volunteer work at the Findlay Trinity Episcopal Church caring for the acolyte robes and ensuring the children attended regularly. Money was scarce with six children and she wanted them all to have opportunities for sports and fun so she volunteered at the YMCA in order to give her children YMCA memberships.

Sarah had a welcoming home in Findlay. Children’s friends were always welcome and local Findlay friends frequently dropped by and many became adopted extended Worthington family.

Sarah still had theatre and acting in her blood. In the 1960’s, Sarah led a group of Findlay friends to form “Tres Chic Couture.” Some of her friends who participated in the group included Helen Mauger, Bettie Snyder, Judy Miller, and Mandy Shumaker. Sarah served as the Master of Ceremonies as the troupe of fashion-conscious ladies performed clever parodies disguised as well-scripted fashion shows at local area events.

Sarah was instrumental in the birth of Findlay youth theatre and encouraged her children to act; assisted in rehearsals; created costumes; and did makeup, props, sets, and lights.

She was also a founding member of the Fort Findlay Playhouse and she and the children assisted in the remodeling efforts of the newly purchased permanent theatre on W. Sandusky Street in Findlay. Her presence was felt everywhere. She was known as a “theatre mom"

Sarah was also a teacher. She taught swimming at the YMCA and even taught her own children to teach swimming where they could be found standing in the shallow end of the pool side by side teaching classes to all ages, baby through adult swimming. As a supporter of the YMCA swim team, she traveled to events and, encouraged all her children to swim and was known as one of the “swim team mothers” in Findlay. More pot luck casseroles.

Sarah also served as the Eastern Community YMCA Program Director, a Maumee Valley Girl Scout Council Seasonal Camp Director, and as the Founder and Director of Talisman Fitness Camps.

After raising 6 children in Findlay, it was time to go to college and formally pursue her true passion... theatre. Sarah attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio where she acted in university plays and received a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre.

After college, Sarah returned to Columbus, Ohio and lived in an artist’s community. Sarah joined the Grandparents Living Theater troupe and performed on a regular basis in their local productions. Sarah had her own creative ideas which led to the formation of her own acting troupe, the “Footsteps of the Elders.” Sarah also launched into a new role nurturing her writing skill as a playwright and authored many plays themed to demonstrate the trials and joys of older age. The Footsteps troupe performed Sarah’s plays in the Columbus area and was quickly awarded grants to bring their unique performances to European theatre festivals including Reminiscence Theatre in London, England. Sarah made many friends during her trips abroad.

Later, Sarah was active in the Davis Discovery Center - Columbus Children’s Theatre and served as the costume designer for many productions sewing many of the costumes herself.Quoting Jim Toth, a fellow Findlay thespian and friend of Sarah’s:

“I will always fondly remember her as a "wild and crazy" lady who not only loved theatre and the Fort Findlay Playhouse but exuded a joy of life like no other. She was vibrant and beautiful to the very end and I will miss her contagious smile and huge personality. God Bless you Dame Worthington.”

Surviving are her children: Steven Worthington of Shelton, WA; Brian Worthington of Fort Myers, FL; Jeffrey Worthington of Loveland, CO; Gale Anderson of Port Clinton, OH; Todd Worthington of Bainbridge Island, WA; and Holly Worthington of Natick, MA; grandchildren Brandon, Lindsay, Thomas, Christina, Marshall, Daniel, Joseph, Ruby, Faith, Keegan, and Zoe; great-grandchildren Elle, Mackenna, Anabelle, Nathan, Andrew, Juniper; sibling Glenda Daily; and ex-husband George Worthington

Memorial Services will be scheduled later.

Arrangements under the direction of Keller-Koch-Chudzinski Funeral Home, Fremont, OH.