Sarah Gund died unexpectedly but peacefully in a Boston hospital on August 17 after suffering an aneurysm. She was surrounded by her beloved husband, children and grandchildren, stepchildren and their children, and close friends. She was 81.

Born in Braintree on May 30, 1942, Sarah moved with her family to the New York City neighborhood of Riverdale in the early 1950s. She brought a particular zest and enthusiasm to her family, friendships and multiple endeavors.

She attended high school at the Putney School in Vermont, an experience that helped shape her life in many ways, including deep friendships and a lifelong passion for music and nature. She met her future first husband, William (Bill) Gray, on the first day of ninth grade. After a year studying in Italy, she continued her education at Sarah Lawrence College.

Sarah and Bill Gray married 10 days after her 1965 college graduation.

After her graduate study at Bank Street College and some moves in Bill’s early career, they settled on a farm in Vermont that they loved. Sarah combined a budding career as a learning specialist with raising her children, Joshua and Sarah.

In 1984 she became an important member of the Stern Center for Learning Disabilities in Burlington, Vt., where she remained for many years. According to a colleague who became a leading national reading specialist, Sarah “could teach a rock to read.”

Bill Gray died from cancer in 1994. Sarah continued to run the farm until 1996, when she moved to New York City. She continued to work in education and in 2000 took over the practice of Jeannette Jansky as a learning specialist and distinguished and much-admired professional in her field.

In 1996 she reconnected with Geoffrey Gund, who had been a roommate of Bill Gray at Harvard. They married in 2000 and began a long and fulfilling life together. As a teacher at the Dalton School, Geoffrey shared Sarah’s interest in education. She put her special enthusiasm into her care of Geoffrey’s family including his four children, who became a very important part of her busy life along with Sarah’s own children and grandchildren.

Settling in Riverdale with Geoffrey, she gave back to the institutions that had nurtured her through board trusteeships that included Bank Street, where her mother had been a founding member; Wave Hill, where her father was a founding member; Riverdale Neighborhood House; the Putney School; and Sarah Lawrence College. She pursued this charitable work with the same vigor and sensitivity that she brought to all endeavors.

A house on Martha’s Vineyard became the focal point of summer activities for her family. The home was a constant source of social interaction, where Sarah was a renowned and lively hostess.

She brought her charitable spirit and passion for board work to the Vineyard, where she served the Martha’s Vineyard Nonprofit Collaborative from 2020-2022 and donated time and resources to the West Tisbury Public Library, the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, Martha’s Vineyard Museum and other Vineyard institutions. She was a steward for her beloved Watcha Pond, ensuring it remained clean.

Sarah is survived by her beloved husband of 23 years, Geoffrey; her children Joshua Gray and Sarah Rakovshik and their spouses Deborah Gray and Mikhail Rakovshik; her brothers Gilbert and J.O. Kerlin; her stepchildren Susannah Bien-Gund, Charlotte Buhr-Gund, Geoffrey and Tyler Gund and their spouses Cedric Bien-Gund, Rick Buhr-Gund, Angela Pietschmann, Vicki Bain; and nine grandchildren.

A small service of remembrance was held on the Vineyard on August 24. A New York memorial will be held later this fall.

Memorial contributions can be made to Featherstone Center for the Arts or Martha’s Vineyard Museum.

Visit chapmanfuneral.com for online condolences and information.