Sara Huntington Ohly

Sara Huntington Ohly, aged 83, passed away on January 2, 2026, in Hamden, CT. She will be remembered for her warmth, generosity and deep commitment to her family, friends and community. Daughter of John Willard Huntington and Patricia Shaffer Huntington, Sara was born in 1942 and grew up in West Hartford, CT. After graduating from Vassar College, she joined the Peace Corp and taught English in Turkey for two years, an experience which would shape some of her most cherished interests and relationships. She married Nicholas Ohly in 1968 and moved to the Wooster Square neighborhood in New Haven, where she lived for more than 50 years. Sara earned an MA in International Relations and a PhD in Anthropology from Yale University, writing her dissertation on Turkish migrants in the Netherlands. She served as an adjunct professor of Anthropology at Connecticut College and Wesleyan University. Passionate about the environment, social justice and culture, she devoted her time and energy to a number of local organizations including Urban Resources Initiative, the New Haven Land Trust, LEAP, Music Haven, the Neighborhood Music School, the Sunrise Cafe at St. Paul and St. James Episcopal Church, and IRIS (Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services). She loved to sing, to garden, and to cook. She loved to tell stories and hear stories told.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Nicholas Ohly, in 2007, and her brother, Derek Huntington, in 2011. Sara's memory is cherished by her family: sons Derek Ohly and Jack Ohly, daughters-in-law Michel Ohly and Tanya Ohly; grandchildren Miles, Lily, Ben, and Raya; and her brother John Huntington.

Sara was a bright light in the community and will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Contributions in her memory may be made to the Nicholas D. Ohly and Sara Huntington Ohly Fund at the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven (https://www.cfgnh.org/funds/nicholas-d-ohly-sara-huntington-ohly-fund), or to the organizations listed above. A memorial service will be held at the Church of St. Paul and St. James, 57 Olive St. New Haven on Saturday, May 2 at 2pm. A reception will follow at the church.