RUCOSKY – Sara Ann (Altstetter) of Jenner Township, devoted teacher, mother, and wife passed away at the age of 77 on Monday May 11, 2020 at UMPC Mercy Hospital, Pittsburgh. Sara was born in Oil City on June 13, 1942 to the late George and Mildred (Stemple) Altstetter. Sara’s childhood was steeped in the magic of the mountains and forests of western Pennsylvania and Maryland as a Girl Scout hunting ladyslippers and waterfalls. Sara earned her BA from Allegheny College and received her Master’s Degree in Education at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She taught French, German, and English at Garfield in Johnstown, and at Conemaugh Township High School in Davidsville. Sara married the love of her life, Walter Vincent Rucosky (now a retired psychologist) in 1968. They had two children, Tanya and Ilsa. She was eventually delighted with three grandchildren, Vivian Noakes, Anya Shulman and Aidan Shulman, and a much loved son-in-law, Scott Shulman. She was a joyful and loving grandmother. She is survived not only by her family, but also by her dear dog Radar and Murphy her cat. An adventurer with a gift for languages, Sara traveled throughout Europe, the Middle East, Thailand, Australia, visited Machu Picchu and the Amazonian jungle. She was known to climb up the sides of semi-trucks to jump onto elephants, ride camels across the outback, camp on barrier islands and in the Alps during windstorms, and dodge icebergs in Newfoundland. Sara was an active member of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ligonier Valley, singing in the chorus, decorating the space seasonally, catering after service snacks, and serving on the Beulah Rosen Memorial Committee. She was a member of the YMCA water walkers, a leader of her book club, a staunch Democratic Party campaigner, and deeply loyal friend. A gifted storyteller, gardener, cook, and naturalist, Sara was the center of her family’s history and traditions. Sara’s sharp sense of humor, commitment to perfect English usage, kindness to small animals, delight in the wonders of a robin’s egg, and near constant wiliness to “cook a little something” will be deeply missed. A remembrance gathering will be held to honor Sara after the pandemic has passed. In lieu of flowers, the family asks contributions be made to the Beulah Rosen Memorial Fund by contacting the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ligonier Valley, PO Box 692, Ligonier, Pa 15658 or Humane Society of Somerset County, PO Box 182, Somerset, PA 15501. To express condolences, visit HoffmanFuneralHomes.com.