Influencer Sara Bennett Announces Her Own Death at 39

Adding another heartbreaking layer to her death is the fact that two months ago, the influencer had shared a sentimental project she had created for the two young sons she now leaves behind.

Earlier this week, a devoted mother, wife, retired educator, advocate, and business owner named Sara Bennett sadly passed away at 39 after a long battle with a devastating illness.

Prior to her demise, the social media influencer knew of her impending death and had begun to map out how she wanted to spend the time she had left.

A Heartbreaking Announcement

In a deeply personal and poetic farewell, Sara chose to announce her own passing through an Instagram post. The post features a black-and-white portrait of her mid-laughter, radiating warmth and joy.

This image is framed in a minimalist design bearing the words "In Loving Memory of Sara Elizabeth Bennett," a gentle yet profound declaration that her journey had come to an end.

Alongside the photo, she had penned a parting message that was as serene as it was courageous. "I am not in pain, or tired. I can laugh, talk, and I can move. Reflecting in my last few months of my life, I am glad I didn't go suddenly even WITH the suffering. I finished my list [sic]," Sara's caption reads.

Her words carry a striking clarity, representing a woman who was at peace with her fate, grateful for the time she had been given, and reflective of the life she had so deeply cherished.

"Even if you don't believe in any thing [sic]," Sara continued, "I am feeding the earth, and my tree. I loved this life, and am grateful for the time." It was a final love letter to life itself, one that embraced both mortality and meaning with quiet grace.

The Mother's Last Wish Was for Her Sons' Future

True to the selflessness that defined her even in the face of terminal illness, Sara's final request was not for herself, but for her children.

In a moving gesture that spoke volumes about her priorities as a mom, she asked that in lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor her memory contribute instead to the 529 College Fund accounts established for her young sons, Lincoln and Will.

The thoughtful request was shared in a graphic posted to her social media, which outlines step-by-step instructions for those who want to help secure the boys' educational futures.

Each detail — from the beneficiary codes to the donation process — has been carefully laid out, ensuring that even in her absence, her sons will continue to be supported by the love and kindness of those touched by her life.

Alongside the donation details, Sara's family also included information for a Meal Train, a practical way for friends and supporters to ease the everyday burdens faced by her grieving husband, Rusty, and their children in the immediate aftermath of her passing.

"Thank you for all of your beautiful words and messages. 🤍," the caption concludes, echoing the immense gratitude felt by those closest to her during such an unimaginable time.

The Heartbreaking Keepsake She Created for Her Boys

Just two months before her passing, Sara offered the world a rare and tender glimpse into the legacy she was leaving behind for her boys, a legacy stitched together with time, love, and every ounce of strength she had left.

In November 2025, she shared a carousel of scrapbook pages on Instagram, revealing the intimate project she had been quietly pouring herself into during her final year: a heartfelt collection of letters, advice, and memories meant to guide her sons long after she was gone.

Though she noted that the personal letters themselves would remain private, the images she did share spoke volumes.

Each page was thoughtfully designed, bursting with affirmations, gentle wisdom, family photos, and vibrant stickers reminding the boys to "be kind," "focus on the good," and "always keep fighting."

Her handwriting appeared beside snapshots of her in a wheelchair, cuddling her sons, and walking alongside Rusty, preserving not only her words, but her presence.

In the caption, Sara reflected on the pain of saying goodbye, admitting how difficult it was to let go of a life and love she cherished so deeply. "I don't want to leave you," she wrote candidly, "but my spirit is done with this body."

And yet, rather than linger in sorrow, she ended with gratitude for the laughter, the memories, and the sheer joy of having been their mom. "I just want to thank you for all of it, everything, all the time," Sara expressed.

The scrapbook pages Sara shared offered just a glimpse of the woman her family knew intimately: vibrant, driven, fiercely loving, and unshakeably strong in the face of unimaginable adversity.

Living with ALS and Refusing to Be Silenced by It

Her death on January 12, 2026, marked the end of a nearly three-year-long battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a diagnosis she once described as "one of the worst" she could have imagined. And yet, even in the throes of physical decline, she never let the disease define her spirit.

Sara had first begun experiencing symptoms in early 2022, but it wasn't until March of 2023 that ALS was officially confirmed, a moment she said brought both devastation and relief. A sense of relief because the diagnosis, while cruel, finally gave a name to the mystery of her body's gradual breakdown.

It also gave her something else: the chance to plan with clarity, to communicate with purpose, and to channel her remaining time into what mattered most.

A lifelong educator, Sara had spent 15 years teaching high school social studies, coaching swim, and advising student clubs. She served on the board of a suicide prevention nonprofit and ran her own small business helping others find order in chaos.

Life in Columbus, Ohio, was full of family, purpose, and joy in the everyday. From dancing barefoot in her kitchen to walking her beloved dog Grif, and practicing yoga, she had built a world grounded in love and service.

But ALS changed everything. Forced to retire from teaching, Sara watched her independence slip away bit by bit. Still, she adapted. She pivoted her organizing business into a new venture called "The Ananda Pivot," using social media to share adaptive tools and offer support to others navigating similar challenges.

She knew the day would come when she could no longer speak, so she used her voice while she still had it, filling her platform with honesty, humor, and hard-won wisdom.

Though the disease robbed her of movement and speech, it never took away her will to connect, to advocate, or to inspire. Until the very end, Sara found new ways to leave a lasting impact, not just as a mother and wife, but as a teacher of resilience, even in silence.

ALS — the disease that claimed Sara's life — is a rare, progressive neurological condition that gradually robs the body of its ability to move, speak, eat, and eventually, breathe.

Often referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease, ALS attacks the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord responsible for controlling voluntary muscles. While it typically begins with subtle signs — like muscle twitching or limb weakness — it relentlessly advances, stripping away physical independence as it spreads.

There is currently no cure for ALS, and in most cases, its exact cause remains unknown. Some cases are genetic, but many are not. What is known, however, is that the disease is universally devastating. Despite ongoing research, treatments remain limited, and the survival rate is low.

A Life Cut Short, but a Love That Will Never Fade

Sara's fight against ALS wasn't just a battle against her own declining health; it was also a deeply personal mission to raise awareness, offer comfort to others facing similar challenges, and redefine what strength looks like in the face of an incurable illness.

She now leaves behind her two young sons, Lincoln and Will, and her husband of 11 years, Rusty. Though her life was cut short, her love for them remains boundless, woven into letters, memories, and the quiet strength she passed down.

At this time, we wish to extend our most heartfelt condolences to Rusty, Lincoln, Will, and their entire family, friends, loved ones, community, and all who knew and loved Sara as they mourn such a significant loss. We hope for their healing amid their grief. RIP, dear Sara.