Albany - Sara Ellen Schaffer-Pollack, 64, passed away peacefully at Albany Medical Center on February 17, after a brief illness, surrounded by loving family and friends.

Sara was the beloved wife of Michael Pollack. Born in Albany on November 28, 1959, she was the daughter of the late Louis and Harriet Schaffer and the youngest sister of the late Merle Schaffer (Lewis) Sperber, Howard A. Schaffer (Simma), and Donna (of beloved memory Harry) Minassian.  She is also survived by her fur babies, Sophia and Puccini and numerous cousins on both sides who will remember her for her creativity, artistic talents, and zest for adventure.

Sara’s life was filled with kindness towards dogs. She was dedicated to animal husbandry through her work as a Certified Veterinary Technician. For three decades, families throughout the Capital Region knew Sara for her concern for canine care. Sara was a volunteer for Albany’s Jewish Family Services. She assumed different roles from serving meals at the JCC to the elderly to doing visitations as well as stuffing holiday gift bags. She was a member of Congregation Beth Emeth Sisterhood. Sara was an avid fan of Albany’s music scene where she befriended many talented artists. She was a graduate of Albany High School, an alumni of The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) and an alumni of the University of Hartford’s Hartt School of Music.  

 Those wishing to remember Sara can make a contribution to the ASPCA, or the Mohawk-Hudson Humane Society 

 Funeral services for Sara will be held on Tuesday February 20th at 11:00 am at Congregation Beth Emeth, 100 Academy Rd. in Albany. Burial will follow at The Hebrew Farmers Cemetery on Western Ave. in Guilderland.