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REMEMBERING SARAH R. DOERRIES
1970-2013
The Collection has been mourning the recent loss of a valued staff member. Sarah “Sally” Richards Doerries, senior editor in the publications department, died on October 18, 2013, in Strasbourg, France. She was 43 years old. Sarah is survived by her husband, Jay Holland; mother, Penny Thomas Doerries; father, Ernest “Ben” Doerries III; sister, Patricia Doerries Cleeland; and countless friends.
When Sarah joined the publications staff ofThe Historic New Orleans Collection, in October 2007, she wasn’t granted the luxury of a breaking-in period. Within days she had plunged into the maw of the monumental volume that would be published, some three years later, as Furnishing Louisiana. Sarah’s graceful hand is evident on every one of the book’s 500-plus pages.
A proud graduate of Newcomb College and Tulane University, with an MFA in poetry from Louisiana State University, Sarah served Tulane as an assistant dean and creative writing instructor before coming to The Collection. An avid reader and published poet, she was on the editorial board of the Cincinnati Review and fondly recalled her days as an assistant editor of the Southern Review. At The Collection, Sarah initiated and oversaw the award-winning Louisiana Musicians Biography Series. Most recently, she shepherded A Company Man to press and, with her beloved colleague Dorothy Ball, founded THNOC’s Fine Print Book Club.
On October 6 Sarah flew to Germany to represent The Collection at the Frankfurt Book Fair. There she mingled with and charmed an international crowd of publishers, printers, agents, and authors. Shortly after the close of the festival, while visiting friends in Strasbourg, Sarah died suddenly. Although no words can fully capture a spirit as vibrant as Sarah’s, her colleagues humbly offer the following testimonials.
—Jessica Dorman, director of publications
Mary Mees, former THNOC editor: As
a colleague, Sarah expanded my knowledge of the English language and enlivened our workspace with her wit, humor, and office decor, including a Homer Simpson Chia Pet. As a friend, she enriched my life, doling out invaluable fashion and gardening advice, teaching me to collage, and always being available for a walk and a chat. She is truly missed.
Ben Sandmel, author of Ernie K-Doe: The R&B Emperor of New Orleans:
I feel eternally indebted and grateful to Sarah Doerries. She was the first person to read the manuscript for Ernie K-Doe. Sarah truly got what I was trying to do and recommended that THNOC take on the project. She tightened up the text with her editor’s eagle eye but never changed my voice or original vision, and we worked together well. Sarah, thank you so much.
Tana Coman, book designer: We met
in the ’90s through numerous connections, since she seemed to know everyone.
Sarah became a great friend who would brighten any encounter. She had a unique vision and an ability to discern the value in everyday experiences. I cherish the years we spent with Jessica on Furnishing Louisiana, a challenging project that she made fun. She was a gifted artist, a brilliant writer, a meticulous editor, a generous soul, and a beautiful person.
Teresa Devlin, marketing director: Sarah expertly guided manuscripts through all stages of the publishing process, including marketing. She challenged us to think of THNOC as more than just a small independent publisher—to pursue a new level of publicity because, quite simply, we deserved it. “Let’s be historic!” she told me recently. Because of her vision, Furnishing Louisiana garnered a write-up in the New York Times within its first month; the Ernie K-Doe biography nabbed a starred review and a spot on the Kirkus Reviews best nonfiction list for 2012; we entered the arena of e-books; and now we can all think of our books, our institution, and our work differently. She helped change our expectations for the better.
Molly Reid, Quarterly editor: Sarah taught me so much about books, language, and life. She was so supremely competent and confident in her abilities—in her knowledge that language is powerful and that being an editor requires the respect, study, and wise use of it. I genuinely looked forward to sharing many years of work and friendship with her and will miss her greatly.
The Historic New Orleans Collection Quarterly 9