Sarah Jean (Erskine) Thompson

Sarah Jean Thompson, 79, of Murrysville, passed away peacefully on October 23, 2025, at Forbes Hospital in Monroeville.  She was born on March 6, 1946, in Munhall, daughter of the late Adolphus and Sarah (Scott) Erskine.  In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her brother, Andrew Scott Erskine.

Sarah Jean was a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, earning a B.S. in Business, and taught for several years at Thomas Jefferson High School in Jefferson Hills. As well as being a homemaker, she worked as the general manager of the Children’s Festival Chorus of Pittsburgh and served on the boards of or volunteered with many non-profit organizations, including the Discovery Enrichment Program, the Friends of the Delmont Public Library, and the St. Andrew’s Society of Pittsburgh.

Starting in her teens, she taught Scottish Highland Dance for over fifty years and was recognized for her talents by the Royal Scottish Official Board of Highland Dance. Scottish cultural heritage — both of her parents were born in Scotland — was of central importance in her life, and she continued teaching and judging dance competitions for decades. She also played the bagpipes and was a registered teacher of Scottish Country Dancing. For many years, she choreographed and produced the Scottish performances at the Pittsburgh Folk Festival and organized the dancing competition at Ligonier Highland Games.

Sarah Jean is survived by her loving husband, Paul A. Thompson; their son, Alastair Thompson, eight nieces and nephews, twelve grand-nieces and nephews, as well as dozens of her students.

A Memorial Service for Sarah Jean will be held on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at 2 p.m. at Newlonsburg Presbyterian Church in Murrysville.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association in Sarah Jean’s name.

For online condolences, please visit www.hartfuneralhomeinc.com.

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