Sarah Sledge Allan January 14, 1956 - January 7, 2021 

Sarah Sledge Allan of Arlington, Virginia passed away peacefully on January 7, 2021 after a long battle with ovarian cancer. She faced her difficulties so bravely and bore them with grace and strength throughout her illness. She was born in Chicago Heights, Illinois, the third of four children of Stanley Nance Allan and Mary Willis Sledge Allan. The family moved to Washington, DC, in 1967 where she attended Western Junior High School, Washington School of the Ballet and graduated from Walt Whitman High School in 1973. She graduated cum laude with a BA in History from Kenyon College in 1977. Sarah spent her junior year abroad in England studying at the University College London. She went on to earn an MBA in Finance at the University of Michigan where she met her future husband, Michael Rufkahr. Sarah was recruited by IBM after graduation from business school and worked in finance for most of her professional life. She became active in the government contracting arena during the latter part of her career. Sarah had numerous interests outside of work including various volunteer positions at the Smithsonian Institution, Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church, and Toastmasters International. She served as a mentor to aspiring Toastmasters and was awarded the Distinguished Toastmaster award in 2020. She also served on the board of the Charities Aid Foundation America in Alexandria for eight years. Sarah loved to ski and explore the great outdoors. She also loved to travel both abroad and around the US. Sarah was a gifted raconteur and was able to connect with others through her humor and compassion. She was kind, gracious, intelligent, funny, generous and will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Sarah is survived by her son William Rufkahr; her mother Mary; her sister Mollie (Gary); her brothers Chris (Vickie) and Stanley; and her nieces Sarah (Nils) and Rachel Ann. A virtual memorial service will be held on February 7 at 2 p.m. Please contact Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church if you would like to attend the virtual service on Zoom. Donations in Sarah's name can be made to the American Cancer Society or Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church. When it is safe to travel again, a family celebration of life will be held at Great Falls Park to spread her ashes in accordance with her wishes. 

Published by The Washington Post from Jan. 17 to Jan. 21, 2021.