Sarah Christen Scherer

Sarah was born in Willoughby Ohio on Nov. 19, 1978 to Joseph and Christine Ruksenos and was their only child.   Sarah and her husband Christopher were vacationing in the Cinque Terra region in Italy. While taking photographs in Manarola, Sarah was hit by an unusually large wave and was pulled into the rough sea. As Christopher attempted to help Sarah, he was also pulled into the sea. He was then thrown back onto the rocks, but Sarah was not able to be rescued. 

Sarah lived in Newark, Ohio for much of her life with her mother and graduated from Newark High School in 1997.  She went on to Bowling Green State University and graduated in 2001 with a degree in Psychology with a minor in Philosophy.  Sarah left shortly after graduation to backpack for 3 months through 15 European countries.  She loved Europe and traveling.

In 2002 Sarah moved back to Mentor and married Christopher Scherer in 2004.  Sarah leaves her husband of 3 years, Christopher’s parents, Peg and Tim Scherer of Chardon as well as her brother-in-law Tim Scherer of Hudson.                        . 

Sarah leaves her mother, Christine Yowell of Mentor as well as many local family members: Her Aunt Martie (Yowell) and Thomas Stefanek, their son Jayson (daughter Allanah) and daughter Kim (Dave) Dummermuth and their children Mercy, Caleb, and Katrina, Uncle Tim and Laurie Yowell and daughter Bethany; Uncle Bob and Diane Yowell and their sons Rocky (wife Sharron with children Brandon, Emily, Vanessa, Samantha), Justin and son Dylan, and Jono Yowell, and Aunt Susan Yowell of Geneva.  She also leaves her great-aunt Barbara Jones and cousin Bob Gillion (partner Thom Clark) of Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Sarah’s father, Joseph George Ruksenos died in 1999.  She also leaves her Aunt Karalyn Frenelle (Jim) of Geneva, Aunt Susy Varner (John) of Huntsburg, Aunt Kathy Lokos, cousin JP and Aunt Dee Ruksenos- all of San Antonio Texas, and great-uncle Wally Koch (Glenna) of Euclid and Aunt Marge Seminak and cousin Cecilia (Mark and their two children).

Sarah was a member of Alpha Chi Omega during her college years.  Recently she has been pursuing her MA degree in Art Therapy and Community Counseling at Ursuline College. She loved working with children and art. She has worked at Pathways, Lake County Job and Family Services and currently was working with Northcoast Counseling Center in Willoughby, Ohio.  Sarah and her husband are members of the Vineyard Community Church in Wickliffe, Ohio.  Sarah was a member of the Koinonia Community of Lake County and was to be the Women’s Rector for the fall women’s weekend. 

Sarah was passionate about life and living fully. She cherished her many wonderful friends.  She leaves dear friends Karen (Kleve) Burns of Kettering, Ohio, Kim Jakubowski of Cincinnati, and Ashley Johnston of Newark, Ohio.  She also had many friends from her life experiences here and across the world.