Sarah Haden Garrett

Sarah Elizabeth Haden Garrett, 82, of Arlington, Texas, died on April 29, 2023, in Austin, surrounded by her family. Sarah was born in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas, the youngest child of Ernest and Kathleen (Hull) Haden. From the age of four, Sarah grew up in Austin where her father was a professor at the University of Texas, but she also lived in Rome and Japan with her family, where her father took teaching positions. She graduated from Austin High in 1958 and was a proud member of the Austin High Red Jackets with her childhood friends. She attended the University of Texas at Austin, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Art History in 1962, and then moved to Washington, DC where she worked for the National Geographic magazine.

In 1964 she married Larry J. Garrett, who she met in college at UT. She and Larry raised three children in Arlington, where she lived for 53 years. They were married for 36 years, were members of the First Presbyterian Church, and were active in their community. During the 1970s, she and Larry tutored and helped many adults attain a GED through a program called Operation Diploma. She was co-leader of her youngest daughter's Girl Scout troop. In the 1980s Sarah and Larry welcomed exchange students from Italy and Iceland into their home. Sarah also served on the board of the HOPE Tutoring Center in Arlington.

From her love of children's literature, Sarah pursued a Master of Library Science at the University of North Texas, graduating in 1979, and began a career as a children's librarian in the Arlington Independent School District, which lasted over 20 years. As Swift Elementary's librarian, she taught each level from Kindergarten to 6th grade, preparing lesson plans appropriate to the various ages. She was an active member of the Texas Library Association and invited acclaimed children's book authors and illustrators to speak to her students. In her many years of teaching, she formed precious lifelong friendships with staff in the school district.

She had diverse interests, ranging from exploring different cultures through their cuisines, and hosting elaborate dinner parties with adventurous menus, to discussions about literature and current events with friends and family. Her love of literature and learning was demonstrated not only through her profession, but also through participation in several book groups including the Stringfellow book group, the American Association of University Women book group, and a history book group with teacher friends. She was a committed Democrat. Her compassion for others drove her support for government policies that work for all people.

In her retirement and after her husband passed away, she enjoyed birding trips with childhood friends from Austin, visiting New Zealand, Panama and Nova Scotia, as well as making an annual trip to High Island on the Texas coast. This new interest allowed her to continue learning and enjoy friendships new and old. She and her birding friends supported Selah, the Bamburger Ranch Preserve in Blanco County, through their annual volunteer work.

She loved being a mother and grandmother and took every opportunity to host her family in Arlington or to travel to visit them. The same thing that made her an exceptional mother and sister, made her a wonderful friend - she was always ready to listen to a story or share one of her own. She was happiest spending time with family or with her many friends. She will be remembered for her intelligence, kindness, generosity, sense of humor, and compassion for all who crossed her path.

Sarah was predeceased by her husband, sister, Kathleen Battaglia, father, Ernest F. Haden, and mother, Kathleen H. Haden. She is survived by her children, Elizabeth Garrett Ceres of Pennsylvania (Rob), Ellen Garrett Colfax of Texas (Edwin), and Haden Walker Garrett of Texas (Michelle White) as well as beloved grandchildren Emily Margaret, Cordelia Marie, Schuyler, Soren, Oliver, and extended family.

A funeral service will be held in Arlington at First Presbyterian Church on Thursday, May 4, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. with a reception following at Moore Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens.

Contributions to her memory may be made to Reading is Fundamental (https://www.rif.org/, Rainforest Alliance (www.rainforest-alliance.org), and/or Cure Alzheimer's Fund (https://curealz.org/).

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.moore-funeralhome.com for the Garrett family.