Sara-Jo Gahm

Obituary

Sara-Jo Gahm was born in New Haven, CT, on November 16, 1963 and grew up in Glastonbury, CT. She loved animals from early childhood. As a teenager, she owned a horse and competed as an equestrian. She graduated from Yale University in 1985, having taken a “gap year” during which she completed a strenuous canoe trip through the Canadian wilderness, joined a NOLS course in wilderness skills, and went winter camping alone, deep in Denali National Park. Through her wilderness training experiences, she developed the strength, self-reliance, and confidence to take on a variety of tough challenges, particularly enjoying activities that required her to think on her feet. 

Sara-Jo entered the University of Vermont College of Medicine in 1987, interrupting her studies there for two years to work as a research scholar with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute at the National Institute of Health, where she co-authored several scientific papers, before returning to UVM to complete her degree in 1993. She completed her residency in emergency medicine at the Medical College of Pennsylvania in 1996. Drawn to the beauty and recreational opportunities of the Pacific Northwest, Sara-Jo chose to settle in the Seattle area as she began her career. In 1998, she married John Connolly. Their son, Eli, was born in 2002.

Sara-Jo practiced emergency medicine in Washington State for nearly 30 years, working first in Providence Hospital in Seattle, now known as Swedish Cherry Hill, for a decade, then at Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett and Evergreen Health in Monroe. She was working in the emergency room when the first cases of coronavirus in the United States were identified in Washington State, and she remained on the front lines throughout the pandemic, treating patients during a period of widespread uncertainty and risk to health care workers. She retired from medicine in 2022.

Sara-Jo began working with herding dogs in the 1990s. She found joy and success in herding competitions with her beloved Australian Cattle Dogs, beginning with "Diggity" and then “Paint,” and continuing with many others. In the 13-year span between 2005 and 2017, she won the Australian Cattle Dog Club of America National Herding Championship ten times, more often than any other handler in the award’s 31-year history. Five of those wins were with dogs that she had bred. After 2011, Sara-Jo began working with Border Collies and excelled there as well. Over the years, her dogs Boss, Hank, Pace, Molly, Carey, Buddy, Digr, and Fly made her a force to reckon with. She gave countless herding lessons and hosted many a herding clinic at her home, On The Lamb Farm, in Arlington, WA. 

Sara-Jo was a warm person, with an easy laugh and a quick sense of humor, which always included the ability to laugh at herself. Calmly decisive throughout her life, she set goals and persisted quietly until she achieved them. She took special joy in the life and achievements of her son, Eli, as he grew into a capable young man, musician, and violin teacher. She treasured her caring friendships and the gatherings of close friends. Able to work with people from a wide range of backgrounds and deeply dedicated to her students and her dogs, she became beloved to many in the herding community. 

In the last year and a half of her life, Sara-Jo spearheaded her extended family’s quest to establish Canadian citizenship. In the spring of 2026, she and her husband emigrated to Canada, settling on a 62-acre ranch just northwest of Calgary, Alberta. Just three months later, Sara-Jo was diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer and died on August 28, 2026, less than six weeks after her diagnosis. During the entire period of her illness, from the moment of her first symptoms until her death, Sara-Jo had constant, intense, loving support from her closest friends, as well as from her family. As word of her situation spread within the herding community, friends from both the US and Canada went to great lengths and reached out to help in many ways. Unending thanks go to Rena O'Brien and Vicky Beer, who interrupted their own lives over six long weeks to be with Sara-Jo, drawing on their love and medical expertise to guide her through a complex medical system and to ensure that she was never alone as she faced her dire prognosis. 

Sara-Jo is survived by her devoted husband, John Connolly; her beloved son, Eli Connolly of Seattle, WA; her parents, Norman and Ruthellen Gahm of Glastonbury, CT; her brother, Joshua Gahm of Toronto, Ontario; and numerous dear friends and relatives.  

Memorial donations may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.  

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September 23, 2026

The obituary was beautifully written. She was such a humble, hardworking and brilliant lady. What a wonderful life! We went to school together and I can say she had a lovely way about her and a sweet smile.
So sorry for your loss. I hope you find peace in the places and people that brought her joy!

Suzanne Allen

September 23, 2026

I am so sorry to read this beautifully written obituary for Sara Jo. While I have not seen her since high school, I have many fond memories of times we spent together in middle school. I am not surprised to read of her accomplishments, and I’m happy that it sounds like she had a great life surrounded by people she loved. Sending my condolences and sympathy to her family and friends on the loss of an amazing person. 💐

Sheryl Mortensen

September 22, 2026

Washington State, July 2022

Heidi Huhn

September 22, 2026

I am proud to say that Sara-Jo was my friend from 8th grade Spanish class into adulthood. We were inseparable in high school with other good friends including Laura, Maureen and Barb. The Gahms were very generous with their home, ski cabin and sailboat, and we spent countless hours in all those places. We went through first loves and broken hearts together, many Harry Chapin concerts, Junior high school and high school and our transition to college. There were many years we didn’t see each other, but it was always easy to pick up where we left off. Sara-Jo and I both married in our mid thirties and raised our sons around the same time. We were both animal lovers and known for strong opinions. We shared another link, and that is that her father performed my mom’s neurosurgery in 1987, and was the one to let us know my mom wouldn’t live long. So sad that so many cancers still can’t be cured. We had checked in a bit this spring since we were doing moves around the same time. This news has shocked me. I had looked forward to visiting the new farm and both being retired. I am so thankful for my friendship with Sara-Jo. She was one of a kind. I’m glad she was blessed with wonderful parents, a smart and kind brother, an amazing husband and talented son. As well as countless friends everywhere she went. I am a better person for having known her. Sending hugs and peace to the entire family and community of friends.

Heidi Huhn

September 21, 2026

I met SJ at least 20 years ago trialing Australian Cattle Dogs. She was a great fellow competitor, who had so many successes. We shared many laughs and love of good working dogs. I was very excited for her when she moved up to Canada, and I was hoping to be able to see her more often. My condolances to John and Eli, and to everyone that lost a kind, funny and caring friend and fellow stockdog competitor. You will be greated missed SJ!

Jen Seaborn

September 20, 2026

Many wonderful memories of our friend and her dogs. This picture was taken when we first met SJ and one of the best dogs we've had the pleasure of meeting, Paint. We spent so much time at their beautiful farm in those years creating memories with the kids and dogs. I am sad we hadn't seen her in the recent years but always hold her as one of our closest, dearest friends.

Brooke & Dan Hicks