Sara Miriam Simkowitz

1950 - 2026

With heavy hearts we announce the passing of our mother, Sara Miriam Simkowitz. She crossed from this world into the great unknown, on February 25, 2026, surrounded by family. She is survived by her partner of over 40 years, Thomas Pelletier, her daughter, AnnaBryn Simkowitz- Rogers (Nathan Whittington), son, David Knudson (Lindsey Knudson), her grandchildren Orson and Vollianne Knudson, and Ayla Whittington, as well as stepdaughter Jenna Pelletier. She is preceded in death by her parents- Isidore and Lucy Simkowitz, daughter Amy Simkowitz-Rogers, and stepson Shane Pelletier.



Sara was born on August 14, 1950, in Miami Beach, Florida. From a young age, her parents instilled within her a love of music, literature, history, and art. She attended boarding school at Oakwood Friends School in Poughkeepsie, NY and enjoyed summers at Camp Robinson Crusoe, in Sturbridge, MA; both pivotal experiences that shaped her outlook on life. She graduated with a degree in psychology from the University of the State of New York. Sara loved people and was always keen on keeping in touch with those from her past, and did until her final days. She loved genealogy and kept extensive records on the histories of her families.

Sara eloped with Charles Thomas Rogers on June 17th, 1969, in San Francisco, California. After living in SF, they moved to Canberra, Australia. In 1975 they had their first child, Amy Cecelia. Sara loved her time in Australia and often recalled her memories of being a young mother. After a couple years in Canberra, they returned to the USA; to Butte, Montana, where AnnaBryn Gwladys (1980) and David Michael (1985) were born. Due to Amy's allergies, the family moved from Butte to San Luis Obispo, California for better air quality in 1986. Amy died in 1990 due to complications of chicken pox. While devastating, with Sara's influence, Amy's death helped lead to the approval of Varivax by the FDA, the first chicken pox vaccine available nationally in the United States.

Sara was well-loved in her communities; whether singing on stage in Butte Community Theater, attending synagogue and Torah studies in San Luis Obispo or Missoula, or hosting dinner parties for friends in her home. She enjoyed traveling; traversing Europe with her parents as a young girl, taking her children to Russia and Japan, and especially cruising in her later years out on the open ocean. Sanibel Island, FL was one of her favorite places to visit, stick her feet in the sand, and collect shells. Sara was an amazing cook, always whipping up something new and unexpected in the kitchen. She loved art and was herself an accomplished painter and photographer. She could often be found perusing the produce at local farmers' markets, with her family at the symphony, or comfy in her recliner at home; enjoying her cats, a proper cup of tea, and a good book. Her absence will be great, but we are determined to carry her generous heart, joy for life, and carefree spirit with us.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Western Montana Humane Society, Ding Darling Sanctuary, the Jane Goodall Foundation, or any animal organization of your choice.

There will be a memorial held at Har Shalom in Missoula, Mont., Saturday, March 7, at 11:30 a.m.