Sarah Whittemore

1934 - 2024

Sarah Arnold Whittemore, a beacon of vibrant energy and unwavering curiosity, transitioned from this world on January 13, 2024, surrounded by the love of her four daughters. She was known for her big, infectious laugh and an insatiable zest for life that endured until her final moments.
Sarah was born in Providence, RI to parents Genevieve Buckingham and Frank W. Arnold and big sister Marti (Giovan). She grew up in Bronxville, NY. She embarked on an academic journey, graduating from Rye Country Day School in 1952 and later from Smith College in 1956 with a degree in political science, enriched by a transformative year abroad in Geneva, Switzerland.
In 1958, Sarah married Laurence F. Whittemore, and together they lived in New York City where they welcomed four daughters and a succession of feline companions. An integral part of her life was her role as one of the pioneering education docents at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, a sanctuary where her daughters were fortunate to explore the world's treasures under her guidance.
They built a summer home in Charlestown, Rhode Island in a beloved enclave by the sea where multiple generations of her family have gathered and lived over the years. She spent every summer of her life there and It was truly her happiest place. From New York, they moved first to Winnetka, IL, and then eventually settled in Greenwich, CT, where she lived for 38 years.
Sarah had a wonderful eye for color and design. She was also a gourmet cook, a devoted foodie, and a consummate hostess with a flair for entertaining. These skills she honed throughout her life and used in a philanthropic manner, championing causes close to her heart, notably At Home In Greenwich, where her advocacy for older adults made a major impact in her local community.
With a mind as sharp as a razor and a thirst for knowledge that knew no bounds, Sarah was an avid reader and a spirited conversationalist, delving fearlessly into topics ranging from politics to quantum physics. Never one for reticence, she spoke her mind freely and with great volume. She believed strongly in mind over matter and was a lifelong student of metaphysics.
Sarah traveled extensively and was deeply influenced by the cultures and people she met along the way. In defiance of societal norms and with a steadfast commitment to authenticity, Sarah blazed a trail of independence, transcending the confines of her era, class, and gender. Her legacy endures in the hearts of her children, Arianna Miceli, Gioia Frelinghuysen (John), Lia Prentiss, Nike Whittemore (Wayne Roberts), and her seven grandchildren.
Donations in her name would be gratefully accepted by the ASPCA, The Nature Conservancy, and At Home In Greenwich.