Sarah Huisking, 65, family philanthropist

Sarah Huisking used a family foundation to support charities in Atlanta, her home since the 1960s.

But she kept it to herself.

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Family photo

Sarah Huisking loved dogs and sports cars. She was a hospital medical technician.

“I’ve known her since the 1970s and didn’t know anything about it,” said Myrt Payne, a friend who lives in Austell. “She never talked about it.”

The Frank R. Huisking Foundation Inc., a Connecticut-based philanthropy, supports charitable, religious and educational institutions. Ms. Huisking donated foundation funds as well as her own money to local organizations.

“We don’t give away a lot of money, but relatives support the area in which they live,” said her brother, Charlie Huisking of Sarasota, Fla. “She did some things in the Atlanta area, like donations to St. Joseph’s Hospital and pet programs.”

Sarah F. Huisking, 65, of Marietta, died Wednesday of liver cancer at Hospice Atlanta. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Arlington chapel of H.M. Patterson & Son, which is handling arrangements.

Born in Huntington, N.Y., Ms. Huisking cared about helping others improve their lives. Besides foundation gifts, she set up scholarship funds using her own money to benefit children and friends of relatives. In some cases, her benevolence was extended to people she barely knew, but knew of through acquaintances.

Once on a trip to Italy, Ms. Huisking shopped in Rome for what seemed like hours while her brother sat outside, cooling his heels. She wanted that special gift.

“It was for her hairdresser’s brother’s friend or something like that,” her brother said. “With her death, I’ve learned that she was more generous than I ever realized.”

Besides traveling, Ms. Huisking liked sports and sports cars. At one time, her brother said, she owned a Porsche and a vintage Rolls Royce.

“I think the reason she got the Rolls Royce was because she loved foreign cars and loved to take friends around to special occasions,” he said. “She’d drive the wedding party and not charge them for it, just do it for fun. I used to call her my crazy sister, and she described herself that way, too.”

During her lifetime, Ms. Huisking rescued three Dalmatians. Her friend, Mrs. Payne, has taken in her most recent one, Donnie. He is to attend Saturday’s memorial service.

“She loved that dog more than anything,” she said. “She’s had a Dalmatian ever since I’ve known her.”

Ms. Huisking worked as a medical technician at West Paces Ferry and St. Joseph’s hospitals.