Alexandra A. Sarach

Alexandra Sarach passed away on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at Brothers of Mercy Medical Facility in Clarence, after a long battle with dementia. She was 82 years old at her passing. Born on October 4, 1943, in Poland to Michael and Irene Lucki during the middle of WWII. Her early years were spent fleeing from the Nazis. Michael, Irene, and Alexandra ended up in England. Michael worked as a teacher in a refugee camp. When she was 11, the family traveled on the Queen Elizabeth to America. Her brother, Thaddeus is 11 years younger and was born in America. By some miracle all of Irene’s brothers and sisters ended up in Western New York and the family remained very close.

Alexandra spent the next decade growing up in South Buffalo, becoming an American citizen, learning English, and becoming a straight A student. She graduated high school from Mt. Mercy Academy. During her high school years, she met her future husband, Thomas Sarach, at a St. France dance. After graduating from Buffalo State College with a degree in Art Education, Alice and Tom were married on July 3,1964 They had two children, Lisa, and Kim, and moved to Hamburg. Tom passed away in February 2021, several years after Alex had started her battle with dementia. Lisa and Kim have seen to Alex’s loving care since Tom’s passing.

Alexandra taught art at Buffalo Visual and Performing Arts for 34 years. She was a natural teacher. Her days in room 332 were spent with music blaring and artistic creations being made. Alexandra designed and made costumes for numerous performances at Performing Arts. Her classroom was always open for an impromptu rap song or break dance. Alex was always up for a creative challenge. If you asked her to make a Victorian suit out of greeting cards, for example, her answer was, when do you need it? She could create anything. Alex made things because that was who she was…a painter, a fabric artist, a gardener. She loved sharing her creations too. If a stranger complemented a scarf she made, she would take it off and give it to them.

Tom and Alex were also avid campers and travelers. They traveled in their motorhome to almost every state! Returning to Yellowstone National Park numerous times. Often with the grandchildren – to share their love of nature and the outdoors. They loved the beach and watching the sunrise with a cup of coffee. Disney was a favorite destination as well. Also, with the grandchildren to share in the magic.

Alexandra is survived by her two daughters, Lisa Samar and her husband John of Buffalo and Kim Switalski and her husband Michael of Buffalo; and brother Thaddeus Lucki and wife Lori of Port Jefferson, NY. Alex is also survived by four grandchildren, Lauren Goodfellow, Thomas Samar, Nicholas, and Alexandra Switalski; and great-granddaughter Violet Goodfellow. Along with many loving cousins, nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of her life will be held in June. The family requests any gifts be directed to The Birchfield Penney Art Gallery in the name of Alexandra Sarach, in lieu of flowers.