Sarah Stewart Taliaferro, 56, of Leesburg, VA died in peace on November 21st after a long struggle with cancer.

Born in Oklahoma City, OK, Sarah was the daughter of Henry B. Taliaferro, Jr. (deceased) and Janet Myers Taliaferro of Leesburg. She grew up in McLean, VA, was a graduate of The Madeira School and held a BA in Fine Arts from Yale University.

An inspired painter, for many years she worked as a graphic designer in New York City, Boston and Northern Virginia. She consulted with firms and large corporations in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Her fields of expertise included pre-press and industrial/packaging design.

Always believing she could make a difference in the lives of young people, Sarah changed careers and earned her MA in Special Education from George Washington University in 2011. For the last three years she taught behaviorally challenged students in Fairfax and Loudoun Counties, VA. At the time of her death she had been accepted with a full grant as a PhD candidate in behavioral education at George Washington University.

Formerly married to Edward M. DeLeon, she is survived by her loving son, Thomas T. DeLeon, 24, of Leesburg, her mother and two brothers, Henry B. Taliaferro, III (Kathryn) of Overland Park, KS and William N. Taliaferro (Courtney) of Leesburg, four nieces and a nephew.

Sarah was a devoted member of St. Gabriel's Episcopal Church. A viewing will be held on Sunday, November 24 from 3:00-5:00pm at Colonial Funeral Home, 201 Edwards Ferry Rd., NE, Leesburg. Funeral services will be held on Monday, November 25 at 5:00pm at St. James Episcopal Church, 14 Cornwall St. in Leesburg.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Gabriel's Episcopal Church, 14 Cornwall Street, Leesburg, VA 20176.