Obituary
Sally was born to Howard M. Smith and Marguerite M. Smith in Flint, Michigan on September 13, 1935. She passed away on August 6, 2024 in Winter Park, Florida after a courageous struggle with Alzheimer’s Disease and Congestive Heart Failure.
Sally was educated in Flint public schools, graduating from Flint Central High School where she distinguished herself academically, as an actress in several student productions, as a member of her class leadership, and as a member of both an award-winning debate team, and an extemporaneous speaker. Her winning personality was cited in numerous year-book autographs by her fellow students – all in beautiful cursive handwriting!
Her education was continued at Kalamazoo College, where, as the first college graduate in her immediate family, she earned a BA in Psychology, and a Teacher’s Certificate. Throughout her college years, she was distinguished by her winning personality, by her academic accomplishments, and her leadership skills. It was also at Kalamazoo that Sally met Roger, her loving husband for 65 years. Sally and Roger spent their married life together in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Connecticut, Texas, and Florida, and in their early years were blessed with the birth of two sons, Bradley and Matthew.
In her early “Empty Nest” years, Sally applied her leadership skills by becoming the first Woman Moderator of the First Congregational Church of Fairfield Connecticut, founded in 1640. Later, she continued her interest in teaching by directing a pre-school, and then by living out a lifelong dream and becoming a Reference Librarian at a municipal library. In their retirement years, Sally and Roger became enthusiastic travelers, in their RV, in their single-engine airplane, and on numerous cruises throughout the world.
Sally was predeceased by her parents, her older sister Peggy, and her oldest son, Bradley. She is survived by her husband Roger, her son Matthew, his wife Jolee, and their two sons Nicklaus and Hogan. Also surviving are Peggy’s daughters Christine, Martha and Katheryn, and their children and grandchildren.
Sally was an accomplished and happy person who led a full and adventuresome life. Above all, she was a happy person. She was happy with herself, and, with her wonderful smile, her inner happiness spread to all around her. A bright light has been extinguished, but her smile will linger forever in our hearts.
Memorial gifts may be made to the charity of one’s choice, or to: Westminster Communities Foundation, Alzheimer’s Endowment Fund at WWP, 80 West Lucerne Circle, Orlando, FL 32801
First Congregational Church of Winter Park Neighborhood Group meeting at Westminster Winter Park