Sara Ritter during the 2012 Maitripa Spring Celebration. Photo courtesy of Maitripa College.

Sara Ritter passed away at the age of 51 on February 6, 2025, from complications from pneumonia.

By Carina Rumrill

As the person who puts together obituaries for fpmt.org and our community news blog, there are inevitably times when I have to organize life remembrances for those I also consider very dear heart friends. Sara Ritter was undoubtedly such a friend.

In 2008, when Sara was publisher of Mandala magazine and one of the editors, she hired me as the new managing editor. The moment I first heard her voice during a phone interview for the position, I thought: “Oh, it’s you!” I had never met her in this life, but I knew immediately that our connection was deep. We did the interview for maybe fifteen minutes before launching into any and every personal detail about ourselves. It was like catching up with an old friend. We both had small boys close to the exact same age; their last names were oddly similar (Bloom and Blumenthal); and we shared so many similar interests, points of view, aspirations, and concerns about the world. And most importantly—we shared a very unconventional sense of humor! As I would learn, many people had this experience with Sara. She knew how to really connect with others.

Sara Ritter and Carina Rumrill, 2009. Photo courtesy of Mandala magazine.

On my first day at the job, she scurried into my office with the excitement of a pre-teen girl having her first sleepover with a friend. She wasted no time making sure I was entirely at home and comfortable. She took me and then associate editor, Michael Jolliffe, out to lunch and she was just bursting with ideas and energy about the future of the magazine and a potential membership program to help fund it (which eventually turned into the Friends of FPMT program).  Sara was always so full of ideas. She was a big, brave thinker. I marveled at how she conducted herself in staff and management meetings, always so open, fair, courteous, and diplomatic.

I found Sara to be laser-sharp, hilarious, kind, open, deeply emotional, humble, and full of surprises. She was always so present during our interactions: she made me feel like I was the only person alive on the planet when we spent time together. When she was no longer working for FPMT International Office, she was always just a quick trip downstairs at Maitripa College. I continued to run things by her as I found my way managing and publishing the magazine. Her feedback and engagement was always so valuable and thoughtful.

Sara and Tripp Ritter. Photo thanks to Tripp Ritter.

During this time, I was not only working for Mandala and International Office, but I was also a small business owner. Sara supported the upstart of my food truck every single step of the way. She brought her family to eat there regularly and was never shy with constructive feedback or gratuitous praise. She never missed a single community event we organized to support the business and community. She participated in our marketing video when we expanded. She even brought her wedding party and out-of-town family to the truck as part of her post-wedding festivities! She used every opportunity to support others; this was such a central quality of hers.

Sara Ritter presenting her final MFA work, 2024. Photo courtesy of Tripp Ritter.

She and her husband, Tripp, and their four kids eventually moved from Portland to Seattle several years ago, and shortly after, I moved with my family to Vermont. We kept in touch through social media, with occasional longer messages updating each other about our busy and complicated lives. Sara had recently completed her Master of Fine Arts in Poetry at Pacific University. Sara was, in her heart, always first, a poet. I am so very pleased that she actualized this core aspect of her identity before she passed.

Her husband, Tripp, opened his obituary for her in the following way:

“The poet Sara Kristen Ritter passed away at the age of 51 ….” The poet Sara. That she was.

Tripp also shared:

“One of her greatest professional and spiritual accomplishments was playing a key role in organizing the three-day environmental summit with His Holiness the Dalai Lama in conversation with spiritual, environmental, and political leaders in the Pacific Northwest hosted by Maitripa College in Portland, Oregon. When she cared about something she gave it her all and ensuring His Holiness had a fulfilling and impactful visit was incredibly important to her. Fortunately, the event was a resounding success.

Sara Ritter greeting His Holiness the Dalai Lama during the environmental summit hosted by Maitripa College, 2013. Photo courtesy of Maitripa College.

“In her professional work and in her personal life, what stands out about Sara is the care she gave to others. So many shared that when she was talking to them, it was like no one else existed. She loved life and love and wanted others to find their own joy. Among her favorite things were being a mom and step-mom, a wife, playing games, listening to music, working together on a crossword, watching a cooking show, and visiting the Oregon and Washington coasts.”

Sara and Tripp Ritter with their children. Photo courtesy of Tripp Ritter.

On February 7, a guru puja was organized for Sara at Maitripa College. Over forty participants joined online and in person. During the puja, Yangsi Rinpoche, President of Maitripa College, said this about Sara:

“Most of us here have a connection with Sara. Particularly myself—at the beginning, when I first came to Portland, Sara was my host. And then she was involved in the establishment of Maitripa very intensely. She played a very important role in student services. She was a really wonderful person and a sincere practitioner, and she served all of us. Sara is very close to our hearts, very dear to our hearts. Today we make prayers and dedicate for her journey, for her future, and for her to have perfect conditions to meet her spiritual path, the path that leads to benefiting sentient beings. And then also for Ben [her son], who we have known his entire life, who is also a part of our family. And for all of her community and relatives and friends who are going through difficulty now, that this difficulty can be part of a spiritual transformation.”

Sara, her son Ben Blumenthal, Tom Blumenthal, Tiffany Blumenthal Patrella, Jack Blumenthal, Susan Blumenthal, Geshe Tenzin Dorjé, Yangsi Rinpoche – at the dedication and opening of the James A. Blumenthal Library at Maitripa College, October, 2015. Photo courtesy of Maitripa College.

Namdrol Miranda Adams, Dean of Education at Maitripa College, and Leigh Miller, faculty member and Director of the Master of Divinity Degree and Chaplaincy Program recalled this about Sara:

“Since the announcement to the Maitripa College community that Sara had passed, many messages have flooded in with a common, cherished remembrance—that of Sara’s unfaltering kindness towards everyone. Many also recall her heart for service, be it towards students, or teaching meditation to prison inmates, or hosting opportunities for rejoicing in the community and life celebrations of others. As a mother, she glowed with love and pride for her son, and kept his drawings and photos by her desk. She was fun-loving, with an uninhibited laugh, putting others at ease and bringing smiles to all.

Sara during the 2008 winter “prom” at Maitripa College. Photo courtesy of Maitripa College.

“Those of us who worked closely with Sara in the Maitripa College office saw many additional good qualities. While she started here as a student, she soon selflessly put her own coursework aside to facilitate the educational experience of other students, becoming the Director of Student Services. In this role, she was a warm, welcoming presence to all, helping them obtain housing, visas, scholarships, referrals to Buddhist-friendly therapists, and more. She invented and, for several years, brought to fruition  the Portland City Sit, a day of meditation for all in Portland’s Pioneer Courthouse Square. And when Maitripa College faced an existentially threatening gap in leadership in 2012, Sara bravely and tirelessly stepped up to tremendous responsibility and management of people, communications, and strategic planning, without complaint or expectation of reward. Following that crisis, she again worked incredibly hard—with tremendous vision, love, and generosity—on the planning committee for the 2013 visit of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Portland and Maitripa College. She was appointed the staff lead in planning the interfaith event, with spiritual leaders representing Indigenous, Jewish, and Christian communities, as well as incorporating a youth choir, Native drummers, and a flower offering by children to His Holiness. Throughout those endlessly long work days over many months, she kept foremost the benefit to thousands of people, and to Maitripa College, of receiving His Holiness, and even when our bodies were tired, her mind was uplifted and encouraging.

Sara speaking during the 2011 Maitripa College graduation. Photo courtesy of Maitripa College.

“She modeled how to be a bright, caring, professional woman. She skillfully aligned her work responsibilities with our commonly held organizational values and spiritual motivations, achieving not only proficiency and accountability, but also fostering loving care for all in the community. When she departed from employment at Maitripa College, we were saddened but also rejoiced in her new opportunities, marriage, and thereafter, relocation to Seattle. Sara remained a friend, visiting on important College occasions, and staying in touch. She is so lovingly remembered. We are grateful for all the blessings she brought us in touching our lives.”

Louise Light, Maitripa College Graphic Designer and Webmaster, reflected:

“Sara loved a good party—not only working to envision themes and help make the annual celebrations happen, but enjoying them fully. As I recall, the Maitripa College ‘City Sit,’ which brought meditation instruction to downtown Portland, was also a project dear to her heart.

Sara during Maitripa College’s Mad Hatter’s Tea Party Spring Extravaganza, 2009. Photo courtesy of Maitripa College.

“On a personal note, Sara’s presence during my daughter Namdrol’s health crisis over many months in 2011 and 2012, was priceless. Yangsi Rinpoche talks about how she was critical support in the office in Namdrol’s absence, but to me, she also was a personal support. She arranged for community members to pick me up at the airport when I arrived from the East Coast, care for me, and drive me to the hospital, and then, as if by magic, for days, someone would arrive at the hospital to drive me to the house for showers and a change of clothes. Sara also communicated to my larger family and Namdrol’s vast network of global friends by filtering updates Namdrol’s treatment and prognosis through one e-list that she coordinated with me and Rinpoche. I’ll never forget Sara’s kindness that year.”

Former associate editor of Mandala, and alum of Maitripa College, Michael Jolliffe observed:

“When I think about Sara, I remember someone possessing a special blend of curiosity, playfulness, devotion, warmth, gentleness, and groundedness. I appreciated her professionalism and positive attitude while serving in her various roles at the FPMT International Office and Maitripa College. I don’t remember her ever complaining about anyone; in my memory, she was consummately diplomatic at all times.

Sara with Michael Jolliffe, 2009. Photo by Molly Stepanski.

“Sara included me in her life as much as she could, and I deeply appreciated the parties she threw in her Portland homes, invitations to game groups at the Lucky Lab pub, and lively conversation at the Horse Brass with her then-new boyfriend Tripp.

“She changed the trajectory of my professional and spiritual life by actively encouraging me to volunteer for Mandala, which eventually transformed into a happy career with FPMT International Office. I have Sara–and her characteristic thoughtfulness and generosity–to thank for the many wonderful experiences I had while working at International Office. She was a truly special person in my life; I’ll really miss her.”

She is survived by husband Tripp Ritter; child Benjamin Blumenthal; step-children Simon Ritter, Bruce Ritter, and Graham Ritter; sister Amy Winkelman; and mother Sheri Winkelman. She is preceded in death by her father, James Winkelman, and Ben’s father, her ex-husband, James Blumenthal.

Compiled by Carina Rumrill with input and care provided by Tripp Ritter, Namdrol Miranda Adams, Leigh Miller, Louise Light, and Michael Jolliffe. 

 Please pray that Sara may never ever be reborn in the lower realms, may she be immediately born in a pure land where she can be enlightened or receive a perfect human body, meet the Mahayana teachings and meet a perfectly qualified guru and by only pleasing the guru’s mind, achieve enlightenment as quickly as possible.

 More advice from Lama Zopa Rinpoche on death and dying is available, see Death and Dying: Practices and Resources (fpmt.org/death/).

To read more obituaries from the international FPMT mandala, and to find information on submission guidelines, please visit our new Obituaries page (fpmt.org/media/obituaries/).