Sarah Elizabeth Crist Barr, born August 26, 1927 in Middletown, Ohio to Esther Rodgers Crist and John Allison Crist, left this world on December 14, 2022.  Sarah grew up in the Middletown area and, in her early teens, lived in Albuquerque, New Mexico traveling solo as far as Seattle, WA. Sarah returned to the green of her beloved Ohio settling in Oxford where she single-handedly raised her three cherished children and worked over 40 glorious years for Miami University Libraries. Her last position was in interlibrary loan where she cheerfully tracked down research materials from around the world for Miami faculty.  She loved the challenge of locating obscure materials, learning from faculty about their fascinating research, and guiding students.

Sarah treasured Oxford and Miami University. After retirement she took walks in her neighborhood collecting trash along the way, a service written about in the local newspaper, The Oxford Press. Kind to everyone, we will never know how many people she helped. She nurtured relationships with colleagues, students who worked for her and everyday acquaintances, served Thanksgiving meals in her home to international students, typed term papers, lovingly looked after aging friends and greatly enjoyed being the beloved honorary grandma to friends of her grandchildren.

Sarah loved her family beyond words.  She leaves her cherished children Eric (Kym) and Belinda Barr and grandchildren Eric Barr (Trenton, OH) and Phillip Barr-Beare (South Lake Tahoe, California); nieces and nephews. Her passing was preceded by her husband Kenneth Barr, Sr.; son Kenneth Barr, Jr.; siblings Phoebe Keene (Leslie), James (Barbara) and John Crist; grandson, Evan Barr-Beare; son-in-law, James Beare. The family will hold a celebration of her life in the spring.

The family thanks all of the warm, compassionate staff of the Knolls of Oxford for their tender loving care and Dr. Bader for his kindness. Donations in her memory may be made to Miami University Libraries, The Knolls of Oxford, or the Oxford Presbyterian Church.