Sarah Brooks Chandler McColloch

Sarah Brooks Chandler McColloch, 76, died peacefully on Friday, August 14, 2026 at home in Portsmouth, RI, with family by her side. She was the beloved wife of John K. McColloch for 47 years and devoted mother to daughters Elizabeth and Jennifer McColloch.

Sarah, known fondly as Brookie by her family and friends, was born in Boston, MA on December 28, 1949, the daughter of Nathan and Nancy (Russell) Chandler of Sterling, MA and Small Point, ME. She grew up at Meadowbrook Orchards, the Chandler family apple farm in Sterling. In addition to her husband and daughters, Brookie is survived by brother John R. Chandler (Tania), sisters-in-law Kathy Chandler and Liza Chandler, son-in-law Chip Rollinson, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. She is predeceased by her parents and by her brothers David Chandler and Peter L. Chandler.

Brookie attended elementary school in Sterling and was a graduate of Applewild School in Fitchburg, MA and Miss Porter's School in Farmington, CT. After graduating from Wellesley College in 1971, Brookie began work at the National Association of Independent Schools. Colleagues at NAIS knew her as a constant source of ideas, enthusiasm and support, and as "the confidante, morale-builder and protector of all who volunteer their services to NAIS in the academic arena."

Brookie rose to the position of Associate Director of Academic Affairs and held responsibility for managing the annual NAIS conference. Her work resulted in significant growth in interest and attendance at the yearly event. It was a bittersweet day when NAIS announced the impending departure of a "distinguished and highly-regarded old hand" in anticipation of her upcoming marriage in May of 1979.

After their Memorial Day wedding in Small Point, Brookie joined John in Singapore, where he had been transferred on assignment as an investment banker. Her willingness to move nearly 10,000 miles away from Massachusetts was indicative of her inquisitive nature and passion for travel, and she and John forged lifelong friendships among local colleagues and their families during those years. They explored Southeast Asia, travelling, when John's work allowed, to Thailand, Malaysia and Bali. Brookie was taken by the Southeast Asian cultures and, true to her profoundly creative spirit, she became skilled at preparing meals based on local recipes and making all sorts of beautiful clothes from the world-famous Thai silk.

Daughter Elizabeth was born in Singapore in 1981, and her sister Jenny was born in Wimbledon, England in 1982, after John was transferred to London. Once again Brookie made the best of her new surroundings, getting to know a wide group of friends, raising two young girls, and taking trips to Scotland, Ireland, and Europe with John.

After Brookie and John returned to the U.S. from London in 1985, they took up residence in Greenwich, CT. As usual, Brookie became very active in the community. At the Greenwich Country Day School, which her daughters attended, she volunteered countless hours at school events and as a regular substitute teacher in several classrooms. Brookie's dedication and leadership was recognized, and her NAIS experience put to good use, when she was appointed to GCDS' Board of Trustees. Given her life-long interest in horticulture, Brookie also became deeply involved and subsequently took on leadership roles at the Garden Education Center of Greenwich, a not-for-profit now known as the Greenwich Botanical Center. The GBC continues to provide students with access to and understanding of nature through field trips and workshops.

In 2001, John and Brookie retired to Portsmouth, RI, where Brookie became a dedicated member and ultimately Co-President of the Newport Garden Club. Flowers from Brookie's garden were perennial winners at the Newport Flower Show, and she also won ribbons for her horticultural photography. Through it all, Brookie tended her own garden, often with the help of a cat or two, along with many local friends. In all, Brookie planted well over 1000 daffodil bulbs that will continue to bring light and joy to the house each spring for years to come.

Throughout their retirement, Brookie and John continued to travel with friends and family, visiting new countries and continents from Antarctica to Alaska, and countless points between. They especially enjoyed their time welcoming loved ones to cruise the Eastern seaboard and extensively across the Pacific Northwest aboard their boat, Sarah Brooks - named, of course, for her best first mate.

Across the varied chapters of Brookie's life, she was consistently celebrated as a consummate host, chef, gardener, needlewoman, adventurer, teacher, dry wit, and peacemaker (especially among her large and boisterous extended family.) She was a dedicated and caring wife, mother, sister and aunt; and she was admired as a trusted and supportive friend. Whether she'd known them for a few weeks or several decades, all who knew Brookie treasured her kind and creative spirit, her calm in the face of the unexpected, her tenacity in championing the causes she cared about, and her perpetual willingness to lend a hand in support of her community.

A celebration of the life of Brookie McColloch will be held at St. Columba's Chapel, 55 Vaucluse Avenue, Middletown, RI on Saturday, October 3, 2026 at 11:00

am, followed by a reception nearby. Guests are invited to wear a splash of color to honor Brookie's unfailingly cheery spirit. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Brookie's memory to the Greenwich Botanical Center, Greenwich, CT and/or Phippsburg Fire and Rescue, PO Box 83, Phippsburg, ME 04562.