Sarah Drake (Williams) Haj-Hariri, 55, of Columbia, South Carolina, died peacefully on July 20, 2021 surrounded by her family.
Born July 23, 1965 in Ridgewood, New Jersey, she was the daughter of Douglass Bailey Williams, Jr. and Martha Elizabeth Litvany Williams. She was preceded in death by her parents, her half brothers, Theodosius and Douglass Bailey Williams, III.
Many people knew Sarah by the nicknames "Fee Fee" or "Sally", and those many people thought of her as their best friend, and she was indeed. She had many connections, and always made time in her day to connect with those with whom she may have lost touch. She graduated in 1983 from Ridgewood High School and earned a BA degree in English from the University of Richmond. Post grad she attended the Sorbonne in Paris, France. At the University of Richmond, she advocated for sororities on campus and was a founding member of the Chi Omega chapter.
Sarah began her career in politics in Washington, DC working for Federal Elections Committee before moving to Charlottesville, Virginia, where she worked in scientific publishing. She met and wed her beloved husband, Hossein, and had two beautiful children, Mitra and Dara. She was a loving mother to both her many pets and her children and was able to make her house feel like the perfect home. She was very active in the Charlottesville community, attending St. Paul's Memorial Church and serving on the flower guild. She was a passionate tennis player at the Boar's Head Sports Club. She served as a volunteer counselor for women's shelters in the area for many years. In 2016, she and her family moved to Columbia, South Carolina when her husband became Dean of the College of Engineering and Computing at the University of South Carolina. Sarah was active in Columbia as well, playing tournament-level tennis at the Wildewood Country Club, and remained a committed athlete, running and swimming almost daily as her favorite pastimes. She attended church at Trinity Episcopalian Cathedral. Throughout her lifetime she was always creative, and a life-long learner. She completed certificates on brain health and on veterinary sciences. Sarah was a published author and book editor for Prentice Hall and prior to her death had published a book. She enjoyed oil painting, sketching, and family genealogy. Her beloved place on this earth was the Chalfonte Hotel in Cape May, where she had stayed or worked every summer of her life.
Sarah was a kind, loving person. She exemplified the definition of caring. Whenever something needed to be done, she would happily be willing to do it. She was a magnet for both animals and children, all were drawn to her aura of kindness. She will be dearly missed every single day and those who knew her are forever in gratitude for her grace and presence on this earth.
Sarah is survived by her husband, Hossein Haj-Hariri, of Columbia, South Carolina, her children, Mitra Minter Haj-Hariri and Dara Davisson Haj-Hariri, of Columbia, South Carolina, siblings and spouses John Davisson Williams of Southbury, Connecticut, Martha Greer and John Morley of Ridgewood, New Jersey, Philip Despard Williams and Amy Williams, of New Canaan, Connecticut, and nieces and nephews Martha Soeurette Morley, Charlotte Agra Morley, Elizabeth Davisson Williams, Virginia Margaret Morley, Douglass Bailey Williams, John William Morley, Jr., and Elizabeth Harper Campbell.
Visitation will be at Hill and Wood Funeral Home in Charlottesville, Virginia from 5-7pm on Tuesday, July 27. The funeral service will be at St. Paul's Memorial Episcopal Church in Charlottesville at 10am on July 29, followed by a graveside service at Monticello Memory Gardens.
Born July 23, 1965 in Ridgewood, New Jersey, she was the daughter of Douglass Bailey Williams, Jr. and Martha Elizabeth Litvany Williams. She was preceded in death by her parents, her half brothers, Theodosius and Douglass Bailey Williams, III.
Many people knew Sarah by the nicknames "Fee Fee" or "Sally", and those many people thought of her as their best friend, and she was indeed. She had many connections, and always made time in her day to connect with those with whom she may have lost touch. She graduated in 1983 from Ridgewood High School and earned a BA degree in English from the University of Richmond. Post grad she attended the Sorbonne in Paris, France. At the University of Richmond, she advocated for sororities on campus and was a founding member of the Chi Omega chapter.
Sarah began her career in politics in Washington, DC working for Federal Elections Committee before moving to Charlottesville, Virginia, where she worked in scientific publishing. She met and wed her beloved husband, Hossein, and had two beautiful children, Mitra and Dara. She was a loving mother to both her many pets and her children and was able to make her house feel like the perfect home. She was very active in the Charlottesville community, attending St. Paul's Memorial Church and serving on the flower guild. She was a passionate tennis player at the Boar's Head Sports Club. She served as a volunteer counselor for women's shelters in the area for many years. In 2016, she and her family moved to Columbia, South Carolina when her husband became Dean of the College of Engineering and Computing at the University of South Carolina. Sarah was active in Columbia as well, playing tournament-level tennis at the Wildewood Country Club, and remained a committed athlete, running and swimming almost daily as her favorite pastimes. She attended church at Trinity Episcopalian Cathedral. Throughout her lifetime she was always creative, and a life-long learner. She completed certificates on brain health and on veterinary sciences. Sarah was a published author and book editor for Prentice Hall and prior to her death had published a book. She enjoyed oil painting, sketching, and family genealogy. Her beloved place on this earth was the Chalfonte Hotel in Cape May, where she had stayed or worked every summer of her life.
Sarah was a kind, loving person. She exemplified the definition of caring. Whenever something needed to be done, she would happily be willing to do it. She was a magnet for both animals and children, all were drawn to her aura of kindness. She will be dearly missed every single day and those who knew her are forever in gratitude for her grace and presence on this earth.
Sarah is survived by her husband, Hossein Haj-Hariri, of Columbia, South Carolina, her children, Mitra Minter Haj-Hariri and Dara Davisson Haj-Hariri, of Columbia, South Carolina, siblings and spouses John Davisson Williams of Southbury, Connecticut, Martha Greer and John Morley of Ridgewood, New Jersey, Philip Despard Williams and Amy Williams, of New Canaan, Connecticut, and nieces and nephews Martha Soeurette Morley, Charlotte Agra Morley, Elizabeth Davisson Williams, Virginia Margaret Morley, Douglass Bailey Williams, John William Morley, Jr., and Elizabeth Harper Campbell.
Visitation will be at Hill and Wood Funeral Home in Charlottesville, Virginia from 5-7pm on Tuesday, July 27. The funeral service will be at St. Paul's Memorial Episcopal Church in Charlottesville at 10am on July 29, followed by a graveside service at Monticello Memory Gardens.
Sarah Drake (Williams) Haj-Hariri, 55, of Columbia, South Carolina, died peacefully on July 20, 2021 surrounded by her family.
Born July 23, 1965 in Ridgewood, New Jersey, she was the daughter of Douglass Bailey Williams, Jr. and Martha Elizabeth Litvany Williams. She was preceded in death by her parents, her half brothers, Theodosius and Douglass Bailey Williams, III.
Many people knew Sarah by the nicknames "Fee Fee" or "Sally", and those many people thought of her as their best friend, and she was indeed. She had many connections, and always made time in her day to connect with those with whom she may have lost touch. She graduated in 1983 from Ridgewood High School and earned a BA degree in English from the University of Richmond. Post grad she attended the Sorbonne in Paris, France. At the University of Richmond, she advocated for sororities on campus and was a founding member of the Chi Omega chapter.
Sarah began her career in politics in Washington, DC working for Federal Elections Committee before moving to Charlottesville, Virginia, where she worked in scientific publishing. She met and wed her beloved husband, Hossein, and had two beautiful children, Mitra and Dara. She was a loving mother to both her many pets and her children and was able to make her house feel like the perfect home. She was very active in the Charlottesville community, attending St. Paul's Memorial Church and serving on the flower guild. She was a passionate tennis player at the Boar's Head Sports Club. She served as a volunteer counselor for women's shelters in the area for many years. In 2016, she and her family moved to Columbia, South Carolina when her husband became Dean of the College of Engineering and Computing at the University of South Carolina. Sarah was active in Columbia as well, playing tournament-level tennis at the Wildewood Country Club, and remained a committed athlete, running and swimming almost daily as her favorite pastimes. She attended church at Trinity Episcopalian Cathedral. Throughout her lifetime she was always creative, and a life-long learner. She completed certificates on brain health and on veterinary sciences. Sarah was a published author and book editor for Prentice Hall and prior to her death had published a book. She enjoyed oil painting, sketching, and family genealogy. Her beloved place on this earth was the Chalfonte Hotel in Cape May, where she had stayed or worked every summer of her life.
Sarah was a kind, loving person. She exemplified the definition of caring. Whenever something needed to be done, she would happily be willing to do it. She was a magnet for both animals and children, all were drawn to her aura of kindness. She will be dearly missed every single day and those who knew her are forever in gratitude for her grace and presence on this earth.
Sarah is survived by her husband, Hossein Haj-Hariri, of Columbia, South Carolina, her children, Mitra Minter Haj-Hariri and Dara Davisson Haj-Hariri, of Columbia, South Carolina, siblings and spouses John Davisson Williams of Southbury, Connecticut, Martha Greer and John Morley of Ridgewood, New Jersey, Philip Despard Williams and Amy Williams, of New Canaan, Connecticut, and nieces and nephews Martha Soeurette Morley, Charlotte Agra Morley, Elizabeth Davisson Williams, Virginia Margaret Morley, Douglass Bailey Williams, John William Morley, Jr., and Elizabeth Harper Campbell.
Visitation will be at Hill and Wood Funeral Home in Charlottesville, Virginia from 5-7pm on Tuesday, July 27. The funeral service will be at St. Paul's Memorial Episcopal Church in Charlottesville at 10am on July 29, followed by a graveside service at Monticello Memory Gardens.
Born July 23, 1965 in Ridgewood, New Jersey, she was the daughter of Douglass Bailey Williams, Jr. and Martha Elizabeth Litvany Williams. She was preceded in death by her parents, her half brothers, Theodosius and Douglass Bailey Williams, III.
Many people knew Sarah by the nicknames "Fee Fee" or "Sally", and those many people thought of her as their best friend, and she was indeed. She had many connections, and always made time in her day to connect with those with whom she may have lost touch. She graduated in 1983 from Ridgewood High School and earned a BA degree in English from the University of Richmond. Post grad she attended the Sorbonne in Paris, France. At the University of Richmond, she advocated for sororities on campus and was a founding member of the Chi Omega chapter.
Sarah began her career in politics in Washington, DC working for Federal Elections Committee before moving to Charlottesville, Virginia, where she worked in scientific publishing. She met and wed her beloved husband, Hossein, and had two beautiful children, Mitra and Dara. She was a loving mother to both her many pets and her children and was able to make her house feel like the perfect home. She was very active in the Charlottesville community, attending St. Paul's Memorial Church and serving on the flower guild. She was a passionate tennis player at the Boar's Head Sports Club. She served as a volunteer counselor for women's shelters in the area for many years. In 2016, she and her family moved to Columbia, South Carolina when her husband became Dean of the College of Engineering and Computing at the University of South Carolina. Sarah was active in Columbia as well, playing tournament-level tennis at the Wildewood Country Club, and remained a committed athlete, running and swimming almost daily as her favorite pastimes. She attended church at Trinity Episcopalian Cathedral. Throughout her lifetime she was always creative, and a life-long learner. She completed certificates on brain health and on veterinary sciences. Sarah was a published author and book editor for Prentice Hall and prior to her death had published a book. She enjoyed oil painting, sketching, and family genealogy. Her beloved place on this earth was the Chalfonte Hotel in Cape May, where she had stayed or worked every summer of her life.
Sarah was a kind, loving person. She exemplified the definition of caring. Whenever something needed to be done, she would happily be willing to do it. She was a magnet for both animals and children, all were drawn to her aura of kindness. She will be dearly missed every single day and those who knew her are forever in gratitude for her grace and presence on this earth.
Sarah is survived by her husband, Hossein Haj-Hariri, of Columbia, South Carolina, her children, Mitra Minter Haj-Hariri and Dara Davisson Haj-Hariri, of Columbia, South Carolina, siblings and spouses John Davisson Williams of Southbury, Connecticut, Martha Greer and John Morley of Ridgewood, New Jersey, Philip Despard Williams and Amy Williams, of New Canaan, Connecticut, and nieces and nephews Martha Soeurette Morley, Charlotte Agra Morley, Elizabeth Davisson Williams, Virginia Margaret Morley, Douglass Bailey Williams, John William Morley, Jr., and Elizabeth Harper Campbell.
Visitation will be at Hill and Wood Funeral Home in Charlottesville, Virginia from 5-7pm on Tuesday, July 27. The funeral service will be at St. Paul's Memorial Episcopal Church in Charlottesville at 10am on July 29, followed by a graveside service at Monticello Memory Gardens.
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