Annapolis, Md.
Sarah Smith Katz (formerly Sarah Johnson Smith) passed away at her home in Annapolis, Md., on Sept. 22, 2021. The daughter of Golda and Irl Johnson of Winfield, Kan., she was born on Jan. 24, 1938, and received her bachelor’s degree in music from Wichita State University, where she met her first husband, Jack Smith. The couple settled in Maine after Jack received his law degree from Harvard and raised two children: Stephen and Kristin. Sarah was active in local governance, serving on library boards in both Auburn and Ellsworth before serving on the Ellsworth City Council. She contributed her considerable musical prowess as a violinist to various orchestras and chamber music groups including the Bangor and Portland symphony orchestras and the Annapolis Chorale. She accompanied many Hancock County Gilbert and Sullivan productions. She also taught violin for many years.
Following Jack’s passing after more than 30 years of marriage, Sarah moved to Fairhope, Ala., and married Warren Katz. In Alabama, she played string quartets with her friends and she and Warren were active in the Democratic Club and the Fairhope Unitarian Fellowship. After Warren passed in 2017, she moved to Annapolis, Md., to be close to her son and daughter-in-law.
Sarah is survived by her siblings Claire Graham, Peter Johnson and Judith Delaney; her son Stephen and his wife, Christiana; grandson Jack; and her daughter Kristin and her husband, Nikolay, who currently reside in Shanghai. She is also survived by her cat Ralphie, a constant and opinionated companion in her Fairhope and Annapolis years. Ralphie has moved in with Christiana and Stephen; so far, so good.
Donations may be made to the Ellsworth Public Library (http://www.ellsworth.lib.me.us/donate/) in lieu of flowers.