She grew up in upstate New York. She graduated from high school early and spent two summers in Alaska canning fish and living in a tent to pay her way to college. She earned a Bachelor of Architecture from the Boston Architectural College after graduating from SUNY Buffalo and attending the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She came to Maine to work with renowned fabric-structure designer Bill Moss, put down roots, married, and started a private practice in 1991. Throughout her career she has focused on sustainable design and renewable energy. Sarah lives in Camden with her husband Peter Jones, a potter, photographer, and cave explorer. She has been the Administrative Manager of Friends of Baxter State Park since 2011.