1997

1997

It is with great sadness I report Sarah Grow passed away January 9 in London after valiantly battling leukemia for more than two years. She is survived by her husband, Jiyar Gol; their 5-year-old daughter Liana; parents Carol and Bob Inouye; Dr. Tom Grow ’60 and Lynn Chase; brother Joel Grow; his wife, Mollie Greves Grow; Joel and Mollie’s daughters Elbe and Emma; and numerous other relatives and friends. An experienced U.S. diplomat who worked in embassies and consulates in India, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Washington D.C., Sarah was a master of languages and fluent in Spanish, Italian, Turkish, and Farsi and conversant in French and Serbo-Croatian.

Mollie wrote: “Sarah would become the wonderful Tia Sarah, aunt extraordinaire with the best style and taste, and gifts from her were always treasured by our two daughters. In addition to travel, she taught them a love for elephants, eating chocolate chip cookie dough, walking briskly and with purpose to take in the sights and cuisine in any city, drinking black tea (at least that’s a love for our younger daughter, Emma), wearing lots of bright colors, and, I sincerely hope, a love for languages.

“As we grieve the tremendous loss of her physical presence with us, may we all continue to honor Sarah’s legacy with boldness, brightness, curiosity about the world, and building bridges across languages and culture. May we use our voices, in whatever language we speak, to work for justice, equity, and elevating and empowering girls and women in the world, as she modeled so exceptionally for us.”

An obituary will appear on the magazine’s website, and those who wish are welcome to post remembrances of Sarah. May her memory be a blessing.

Congratulations to Cara Abercrombie, who was named special assistant to President Biden and senior director of defense at the National Security Council, overseeing defense policy and strategy issues. Cara wrote: “It’s an expansive portfolio, but my priorities broadly are ensuring our defense department resources and strategies are aligned with the Biden-Harris administration priorities, that we are organized to compete effectively with China, and we are tending to the health of our armed forces.

“In true small-world fashion, I work closely with Brian Boynton’s wife, Mallory Stewart. I managed to squeeze in a reunion with Sarah Lenczner Caputo and Theresa Ellis last February, two weeks before we went into lockdown.”

Cara lives in Arlington, Virginia, with her husband, David Freccia, and 14-year-old daughter, Audrey. Outside of work, Cara is active in the disability advocacy community, serving as the founder of KPTN Alliance, which shares information about KPTN genetic mutations and resulting health impacts to help improve the lives of those diagnosed with these mutations. Cara is also a member of Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy’s research committee and Children’s National Epilepsy Council and treasurer for the Arlington special education PTA.

Take care everyone and please keep sending your news.

—Jason Casell, 10106BcilmforthLane, Houston, TX 77096; jhcasell@gmail.com

Jason Casell