Sarah F. Parker, of Bangor, passed away after a life defined by purpose, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to equity and justice. She dedicated both her professional and personal life to advancing opportunities for girls and women, and for all those living on the margins.
Sarah earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Maine, followed by a Master’s degree in Development Economics from Dalhousie University, and a Master’s degree in Women’s Studies from University College Dublin in Ireland. Her academic foundation guided a career spent largely in the international nonprofit sector, where she worked across continents to support vulnerable communities and promote meaningful, sustainable change.
Most recently, Sarah served as Director of Development at the Penobscot Theatre Company in Bangor. She found deep joy in this role, embracing both the creative energy of the theater and the people who made it possible. She loved her colleagues, the artists she supported, and the broader community she was able to reach through her work. For Sarah, it was a rare and meaningful convergence of her passion for storytelling, connection, and community.
Prior to this, Sarah served as Development Director for an organization focused on empowering young women and girls in Afghanistan through community-based education, from primary school through higher education. She also served as Director of the Council of Women World Leaders in Washington, D.C., an organization composed of current and former women Presidents and Prime Ministers working collaboratively to advance policies that improve the lives of women and girls worldwide.
Earlier in her career, Sarah served as Program Director for Cooperation Ireland, where she worked to foster cooperation and understanding between communities in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Her work there built bridges across divided communities, reflecting her deep belief in dialogue and shared humanity.
Before her time in Ireland, Sarah worked in Bosnia and Herzegovina with the International Rescue Committee as Program Manager for Community Development. There, she partnered with local and international organizations to support the safe return and resettlement of refugees and displaced persons following the war, helping communities rebuild through locally driven initiatives.
Sarah’s commitment to service extended deeply into her volunteer work. In Ireland, she volunteered with Oxfam Ireland and the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre. While living in Massachusetts, she contributed her time and leadership to the United Way of Massachusetts Bay, serving on regional advisory and grant allocation committees, participating in the Women in Action Steering Committee, and supporting various political campaigns. After returning home to Maine in 2020, she became a Master Gardener volunteer with the Maine Cooperative Extension, volunteered with the Women’s Lobby, and supported local political efforts. She was especially proud to serve on the board of Mabel Wadsworth, working alongside a community devoted to reproductive rights and equitable healthcare.
Sarah lived and worked all over the world, but she returned to Bangor with a deep appreciation for home, community, and the enduring importance of local connection. She will be remembered for her intelligence, her generosity of spirit, her global perspective, and her fierce dedication to making the world more just and compassionate.
She is survived by her son, Fionn Parker-Cummings; her husband, Dr. Peter Cummings; and their dog, Boba Fett, all of Bangor, Maine; her mother, Susan Parker of Downers Grove, Illinois; her father, Dr. Gary Parker of Naples, Florida; her sister Eliza Parker, her husband John Lombardi, and nieces Cadence and Ella Parker-Briones of Clarendon Hills, Illinois; and her sister Temple Parker of Bangor, Maine.
In lieu of flowers or cards, please consider a donation to two of Sarah’s greatest loves:
Fionn’s Norwich University tuition: https://spotfund.com/SarahsLegacy
Penobscot Theatre Company, 131 Main St, Bangor, ME 04401. Make sure to add in the memo: In Honor of Sarah Parker.