Sarah Townsend Bright

Sarah was born on March 22, 1968, in Winchester, VA, and grew up in Hedgesville, WV. She graduated from the University of Maryland (English) and St. Mary’s College of Maryland (Music). A lifelong musician, Sarah could play most brass instruments, but her passion was the French horn along with the piano.

She found her calling after taking a music teaching position in Corpus Christi, TX, where she was stationed with her husband. Providing the gift of music to young children as an early childhood music specialist truly made her smile every day along with all those young faces. Her gift of music and those memories will be remembered by many. Sarah also loved all things “Renaissance” enjoying the clothing, jewelry, and music of that age.

Sarah was preceded in death by her parents Dwain Donaldson and Katherine Hoogland Donaldson. She is survived by her husband of 32 years, Charles Jonathan Bright, Jr., CDR, U.S. Coast Guard retired and her three sons Jonathan Bennett Bright (SRA, U.S. Air Force) and spouse Maylia Noda, Charles Ashton Bright, and Frederick Leo Bright. She is also survived by her brothers and sister Mathew (brother) and Stephanie Donaldson, MaryAnna Donaldson Markos (sister) and Endre Markos, Jarrod (brother), CDR, USN retired and Lora Donaldson, Dwain Donaldson II (brother), MAJ, USMC retired, and Steven Bright (brother-in-law) and Rebekah Lusk; nephews and nieces Mitchell, Layne, Shenandoah, Andrew, Daniel, Clara, and Mirabelle. Sarah is also survived by many members of the Bright, Donaldson, Avey, and Hoogland families.

A memorial visitation for Sarah will be held Wednesday, January 10, 2024, from 5 to 8 PM at John M. Taylor Funeral Home, 147 Duke of Gloucester Street, Annapolis, MD 21401. A funeral service will be held at a later date in Hedgesville, WV. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to the American Diabetes Association or the Alzheimer's Association.