Sarah "Sally" Cochran

Sarah O. Cochran, 92, of Franklin, died unexpectedly Saturday night, November 21, 2015, at her sister's home in Allison Park, Pa.

Born January 25, 1923, she was the daughter of Dr. Raymond Osborn and Elizabeth Osborn of Pittsburgh, Pa.

Mrs. Cochran was raised in Pittsburgh and graduated from Taylor Allderdice High School. She then went on to Carnegie Tech ( now Carnegie Mellon University ) and received a Bachelors Degree in 1943.

Upon graduating from college, she went to work for the bridge building and engineering firm of Richardson, Gordon and Associates in Pittsburgh and was involved in the design and construction of many of the bridges in downtown Pittsburgh as well as the Pennsylvania and Indiana Turnpikes.
She moved to Franklin in 1958 following her marriage to James E. Cochran.

In Franklin, the energy she formerly dedicated to her job was redirected to volunteer organizations and community involvement. Mrs. Cochran became Board Chairman of Franklin Hospital, then Secretary / Treasurer of Franklin Regional Medical Center and was a Founding Member, Chairman and Treasurer of the Franklin Hospital Foundation. She was one of the true visionaries who provided progressive leadership in many valuable and supportive ways to the advancement and development of overall healthcare delivery in Venango County. Mrs. Cochran was named Woman of the Year by the Franklin Chamber of Commerce in 1975.

Mrs. Cochran also was a member of St. John's Episcopal Church in Franklin where she served as a Sunday School Teacher, Vestry Member, Lector and Editor/Compiler of St John's Newsletter for ten years. She was elected to two terms on Diocesan Council (1983-1989) serving on the Finance, Program, and Alcohol & Drug Committees. She was also the chairperson of the Bishop Search Committee in 1990-91. Her deep knowledge of scripture and love of historical research enhanced her leadership of the Tuesday Afternoon Women's Ecumenical Bible Study for the past 29 years.

Additionally, she was an avid member of both Wednesday Club since 1962 and Monday Club for several decades, was a member of the local Daughters of the American Revolution Chapter and was an avid historian and genealogist.

Mrs. Cochran will be remembered as a vibrant, energetic person with a wide range of interests and knowledge. She always loved time with her grandchildren and family and her great-grandson, Ethan. She also enjoyed keeping in touch with a broad array of friends and could often be found sending clippings and notes of unique interest to those she kept touch with. Mrs. Cochran was married January 26, 1957 to James E. Cochran who preceded her in death in 2004.

She is survived by a son, James Cochran and his wife, Teresa; two grandchildren, Amber Baughman and her husband Chris and Jake Cochran, and one great-grandchild, Ethan Baughman. She is also survived by her sister, Mary Weber, two nieces and one nephew as well as numerous great nieces and great nephews.

Friends may call from 4:00 to 7:00 PM on Tuesday and from 10:00 to 11:30 AM Wednesday at the Huff Funeral Home & Cremation Services Inc., 312 West Park St., Franklin.

A public funeral service will be held at noon on Wednesday at St. John's Episcopal Church in Franklin. All are welcome to attend.

The family suggests memorials be made to St. John's Episcopal Church, 1145 Buffalo St. Franklin East Grove Methodist Church 1167 Belmar Rd. Franklin, PA 16323, Franklin or The Kirtland Cancer Foundation, P.O. Box 108, Franklin, PA 16323.

Online condolences and flowers may be sent to the family by visiting www.HuffFuneral.com