Sara Beth Johnson

Sara Beth Johnson, 66, of Ithaca, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, May 18, 2024, following a long illness.

She is predeceased by her father, Herbert H. Johnson, Jr. She is survived by her mother Marguerite Johnson, of Ithaca; her son, Adam McKaig, of Oxford, OH, and her daughter Audra McKaig and grandchildren, Genevieve, Everett, and Josephine Greene of Bow, NH; her partner of 12 years, Rick Bradford, of Ithaca; her sisters Mary Squyres and Catherine Johnson, both of Ithaca, and brothers Michael Johnson, of New York City and Doug Johnson, of Leominster, MA. She also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews, her beloved dogs Luna and Lily, and her cat Windy.

Sara was a 1976 graduate of Ithaca High School. She went on to major in History at Cornell University, and later worked for the Cornell libraries. Among her friends and family Sara was known for her keen intelligence, sharp wit, and dry sense of humor. She read avidly, collected books on many subjects, and cultivated a lifelong interest in history. In later years, she shared her love of history, animals, and camping with her partner Rick. Sara was a devoted dog and cat lover all her life, and a dedicated fan of Star Trek and the Cleveland Browns, but her deepest and most abiding love was always for her children, Adam and Audra.

A private celebration of life will be held with family and close friends at a future date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in her honor to the SPCA of Tompkins County, where Sara first met many of her dear animal friends.