Sara Bennett Death: ALS Advocate and Columbus Mother of Two Remembered

COLUMBUS, Sara Elizabeth Adams Bennett, a devoted mother, educator, and outspoken advocate in the ALS community, has died after a courageous three-year battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. She passed away on Monday, January 12, surrounded by loved ones, leaving behind a legacy defined by resilience, compassion, and purpose.

Bennett, a longtime Columbus resident, was the mother of two young sons and the wife of her husband, Rusty. A retired teacher and professional organizer, she spent 15 years teaching high school social studies in Columbus, where she was known for her dedication to students and her passion for education. Even after ALS dramatically changed her life, Bennett remained committed to teaching—adapting her role to new platforms and reaching people in different ways.

Diagnosed in her late 30s, Bennett chose to speak openly about living with ALS. Through social media and personal reflections, she documented her journey with honesty and clarity, offering practical advice and emotional guidance to families facing serious illness. Her posts focused on preparing loved ones both emotionally and logistically, while also addressing the challenges of parenting while living with a progressive neurological disease.

Bennett often described her work as “still educating and problem-solving, but in a different way,” a phrase that came to define her advocacy. She emphasized love, transparency, and preparation, always centering her children’s well-being while working to support and uplift others in the ALS community.

Tributes have poured in from friends, former students, fellow educators, and families impacted by ALS. Many remembered Bennett as a thoughtful teacher, a determined advocate, and a mother whose devotion to her family never wavered despite immense challenges.

Sara Elizabeth Adams Bennett is remembered as an ALS advocate, a lifelong educator, and a devoted mother whose courage and openness helped illuminate a difficult path for others. Her impact continues through the lives she taught, the families she supported, and the example she set in facing illness with grace, honesty, and strength.