Sachiko Suzanne Mallach, 42, fundraiser for nonprofit organizations

ONE OF Sachi Mallach's main characteristics was optimism.

And it was catching.

Optimism gave Sachi the spirit and drive to make a successful career in fundraising and development for the many educational and charitable organizations she worked for over the years.

And there was little doubt that same optimism infected those she dealt with, encouraging them to believe in her and the mission to which she dedicated her life.

Sachiko Suzanne Mallach died July 1 after a five-year battle with cancer. She was 42 and lived in West Goshen Township, Chester County.

When Sachi became vice president for institutional advancement at Harcum College in Bryn Mawr in August 2009, she had this to say: "People who contribute their time and resources are optimists. They see a need or opportunity to take action because they believe they can make a difference."

And Sachi's career certainly made a difference for the nonprofit schools and institutions she graced with her drive, know-how and charm.

In announcing her appointment, Harcum, a prestigious Main Line private school with a long history, described Sachi, as she was called by family and friends, as "passionate about philanthropy."

Before taking the job at Harcum, Sachi was director of development for the Chester County Historical Society in West Chester. Among many fundraising and other projects she ran, she succeeded in securing a $1 million matching grant for the organization, the largest in its 116-year history.

Before that, she ran fundraising and development projects for institutions in New York City, Tarrytown, N.Y., and New Mexico.

"Sachi touched the lives of many people with her smile, optimism, and generosity, and maintained her strong heart and sense of humor all the way to the end of her life," her family said.

She was a woman of many interests. She played the piano and violin. She enjoyed hiking and camping. She liked working in her garden. She loved "laughing, being with her family, spending time with animals," her family said. "She was always looking to learn from someone, or visit someplace new."

Sachi was born the oldest of the two children of Keisuke and Marjorie Isobe, in Queens, N.Y., and was raised in New York and Long Island. She attended Herricks High School in New Hyde Park, N.Y.

She went on to Wesleyan University in Middletown, Conn., and graduated in 1994 with a degree in comparative politics. She also took courses at Magdalene College of Cambridge University in England, and Eotvos Lorand University in Budapest.

Her first job was as program coordinator for InterExchange in New York City, a nonprofit organization that runs student exchange programs, from 1994 to 1996.

She then held various positions at International House in New York, a Rockefeller-financed residence and program center for international and American graduate students and trainees, from 1996 to 1999.

She joined the Hackley School, an independent, college preparatory day and boarding school for students in kindergarten through 12th grade in Tarrytown, N.Y. She was major gifts officer and associate director of the school's Centennial Campaign from 2001 to 2004.

Sachi then went to New Mexico where she led the fundraising efforts for New Mexico's College of Arts and Sciences. Through her work, the fund drive exceeded goals, and secured the two largest gifts ever given to the college by living donors.

She also served as manager of donor relations for the University of Mexico Foundation.

She came to the Philadelphia area in 2007.

Sachi was married to Daniel B. Mallach, of Thomas Comitta Associates Inc., town planners and landscape architects in West Chester.

She also is survived by a daughter, Katy, and her parents.

Services: Memorial service 11 a.m. Saturday at Birmingham Friends Meeting House, 1245 S. Birmingham Road, West Chester.

Contributions in her memory may be made to the World Wildlife Fund, 1250 24th St. N.W., P.O. Box 97180, Washington, D.C. 20090-7180, or Doctors Without Borders, 333 7th Ave., New York, N.Y. 10001-5004.