Saralee Schacht Dugdale, 56, of Carmel, passed away on February 26 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Sara died as she had lived – with grace and dignity, surrounded by loved ones.
She was born on November 8, 1958, in Hartford City, Indiana. Sara is predeceased by her parents, Marilyn McKee Tindall and Clifford Arthur Schacht, Jr., and her stepfather, George Tindall. She is survived by her husband of 28 years, Jeffrey Dugdale; her children, Jessica (Eric) Olimb, Paul, and Gregory; and brothers Clifford Schacht III of Syracuse, Indiana, and Paul (Cheryl) Schacht of West Palm Beach, Florida.
Sara was a 1977 graduate of North Central High School. In 1981, she graduated from the School of Nursing at DePauw University, where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma fraternity. As a Registered Nurse, Sara developed a career in clinical research with Walker Clinical Evaluations, Inc., Cornea Research Foundation of America, and most recently, Concentrics Research, LLC.
At her late grandparents’ home in Pickwick Park on Lake Wawasee, Sara fondly spent her summers with those she loved most, especially with her “sister” cousin, Lisa (Michael Halstead) Lanham. As a young adult, she was a competitive equestrian and travel enthusiast. In her later years, Sara volunteered tirelessly to support her children’s interests. In 2008, she and her husband were honored to receive The Orchard School Distinguished Friends Award, given annually to individuals who nurture, support, and embody the values expressed in Orchard’s mission.
Sara will be remembered for her contagious smile, gentle nature, gracious personality and devotion to her family. The center of Sara’s life, in fact, was her family; at first, her family of origin, and eventually, the large and loving Dugdale family. Sara’s three children were her greatest gifts.
Sara was dubbed “warrior princess” as she bravely fought a valiant battle with lung cancer. The family would like to thank Dr. Harold O. Longe, Dr. Michael R. Dorwart, Dr. Paul R. Helft, and the staff at the IU Health Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center (especially nurses Becky, Jamie and Sydney) for their care of Sara. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the IU Health Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center for lung cancer research, payable to the IU Foundation/Thoracic Oncology Program Fund. Please indicate “In memory of Sara Dugdale” on your donation and mail to: IU Simon Cancer Center, P.O. Box 7072, Indianapolis, IN 46207.
Family and friends are invited to gather in celebration of Sara’s life on Friday, March 6, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in McFarland Hall at Second Presbyterian Church, 7700 North Meridian Street, Indianapolis, Indiana. Funeral services will begin on Saturday, March 7, at 10:30 a.m. in the sanctuary at Second Presbyterian Church.