For many years, Roz Varon, a well-liked and respected personality on ABC7 Chicago, has been candid with her viewers about her personal life. Nothing, however, prepared her fans for the incredibly human tale she would share this year: the tragic death of her only child, Sara Beth Janz, a lively 29-year-old whose kindness, wit, and inventiveness made a lasting impression on everyone who knew her. Despite being extremely personal, the grief has struck a chord with many who have experienced loss in silence, reminding us of the incredible strength mothers frequently possess behind their composed exteriors.
Despite being short, Sara’s life had meaning. She forged her own artistic path after graduating from Columbia College Chicago, most notably by establishing the Junior Board of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) Chicago/Midwest Chapter. She especially helped a generation of young professionals who yearned for camaraderie and teamwork in a demanding media environment by creating a forum for up-and-coming voices. Her coworkers recall her as being very clear in her communication and incredibly giving with her time, traits that won her over both mentors and peers.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Sara Beth Janz |
| Date of Birth | 1995 |
| Date of Passing | January 1, 2025 |
| Age at Passing | 29 |
| Parents | Roz Varon and Edward Janz |
| Spouse | Staff Sergeant Darien Jackson |
| Siblings | Amy (Neomi Luna) Janz and Brian Janz |
| Education | Columbia College Chicago |
| Profession | Photographer, TV Academy Volunteer |
| Notable Work | Founder, NATAS Chicago/Midwest Junior Board |
| Scholarship | Sara Janz Memorial Scholarship Fund |
| Cause of Death | Sudden illness following infection |
As a professional photographer and media volunteer, Sara frequently used her camera to document ephemeral feelings. Her images conveyed empathy and silent observation through their delicately composed moments, creating more than just visual landscapes. Growing up with her mother, a journalist who recognized the power of storytelling, may have contributed to her artistic sensibility, which demonstrated maturity well beyond her years. Sara’s artistic expression was subdued and profoundly poignant, a visual poetry that reflected her reflective nature.
Her unexpected death on January 1, 2025, rocked Chicago’s creative and media landscape. She was the daughter of a well-known person who had succeeded in separating herself from her mother and forging her own identity. On the Road to Honesty and Transparency, Roz’s personal blog, she once wrote that she had “never been so proud to simply be Sara Janz’s mom.” Those straightforward yet profound words have come to symbolize a love that surpasses both life and death.
Staff Sergeant Darien Jackson and Sara’s marriage represented a bond of intense love and common purpose. Friends characterized them as inseparable, united by mutual admiration, humor, and tenacity. Their quiet love story was refreshingly grounded in a culture that frequently romanticizes fame. One friend described them as “the kind of couple that made you believe in goodness again” on the internet. Roz, who miraculously turned her grief into a mission by creating the Sara Janz Memorial Scholarship Fund to aid aspiring students in television and media, is still motivated by that goodness.
Roz made sure that Sara’s kindness would continue to change lives by making use of her connections and influence. The scholarship has evolved into a tangible representation of Sara’s dedication to mentoring and education thanks to strategic alliances with NATAS and Columbia College. As Sara did in life, this program has been especially creative in bringing together seasoned professionals and up-and-coming talent, spanning generations.
Additionally, the scholarship fund symbolizes something more personal: a mother’s method of preserving her daughter’s character. “I talk to her every day,” Roz said in public, her voice containing both sadness and calm. She has been exceptionally successful in expressing the complex aspects of loss through her writing, grief counseling, and community gatherings. Numerous readers have responded favorably to her unvarnished and incredibly human candor, finding solace in it.
In a culture that frequently rushes past grieving, Roz’s candor feels especially brave. By transforming her platform into a healing and compassionate space, she has significantly improved the way that grief is discussed online. She provides comfort to those going through similar suffering by sharing the unvarnished details of her days, including the restless nights, the bittersweet memories, and the unexpected moments of calm. In addition to being reflections, her blog posts serve as roadmaps for overcoming the unimaginable, step by step—or, as she paraphrases from her grief support group, “inch by inch is a cinch, yard by yard is hard.”
Roz and Sara shared everything during her daughter’s life, including volunteer work, theater visits, travel, and a passion for animals. Sara’s pets, who are now Roz’s friends, continue to serve as reminders of continuity and nurturing. According to the former reporter, her “pack” is a loving diversion that keeps her going, with every tiny act of kindness providing an excuse to get out of bed in the morning.
Sara’s absence still carries a tremendous emotional burden. She still has an impact on people through her legacy, which is both eerie and therapeutic. Support from the entertainment industry has been shown for the Stars for Sara benefit concert, which was held in her honor. The occasion honored Sara’s inventiveness, her commitment to diversity, and her upbeat disposition. It was a potent reminder that art can heal, even in times of grief.
In many respects, Roz’s story is similar to that of other well-known people who have used personal tragedy to influence society, such as Sheryl Sandberg’s support of resilience and Viola Davis’s thoughts on overcoming adversity. Their ability to turn suffering into meaning is what ties them together. As a result of this metamorphosis, Roz has not only become a storyteller but also a voice for innumerable parents who are grieving, subtly redefining what it means to be courageous.
Despite her brief life, Sara left a lasting impact. Conversations in various creative circles are still influenced by her artistry, generosity, and collaborative vision. For Roz, every act of kindness reignites the light that Sara left behind, every scholarship recipient carries her legacy, and every sunrise carries her daughter’s memory.
