I have just learned of Sally's passing and I don't know where to begin. We met when we were teaching ESL to adults from Southeast Asia and became good friends. That was almost 50 years ago! We sometimes worked on lesson plans and materials together, and tried to help our students sell their exquisite embroideries at Saturday market. After I moved away from Portland, we kept in touch, and I visited Sally in her home in 2019 and 2021. On the latter visit, I became very ill. Sally drove me to an urgent care clinic and then to the hospital. She brought me necessities while I was there, including making me some sugar-free Jello at my request (the doctor diagnosed me with diabetes, but the hospital had only sugary Jello). All of that, when she had only planned to drive me to the airport after a short chat! During the past couple of years, we have had some good phone conversations, but interestingly, she kept forgetting that I no longer lived in Portland. I had hoped to get up there and see her again. Calling Sally is always on my to-do list, but clearly I had neglected to do so for several months, and just today, April 30th, my Christmas card to her was returned by the P.O. I send my condolences to her family, especially to Justin, who shared her new location with me, and Brenda, whom I recall as a young teenager. Sally was so smart, kind, and fun,--a unique friend.
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My birthday was March 30, first one without a mom, and it hit me harder than I expected. Every year, she was usually the second person I heard from (the first being my husband), and I could always count on her saying, “Happy birthday, my beautiful Brennie.” I missed her voice and her love so much this year.
One of my favorite birthday memories is the year my amazing sister traveled from Portland to Florida with my mom to surprise me. I still can’t believe how shocked I was — walking down my street around 10 p.m. and suddenly seeing two familiar figures heading toward me. And honestly, I still can’t believe my mom kept it a secret. Keeping surprises was not exactly her strong suit. She had just visited about a month before and later told me she almost fumbled the surprise several times. But she didn’t, and because of that, I have wonderful memories of the three of us laughing, walking, and just enjoying being together.
It’s a memory I will hold close to my heart forever.
Love, Brenda
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Watching One Battle After Another recently reminded me of my mom. She had such a wonderful, dark, witty sense of humor. My brother Eric shared that same dark, satirical streak with her, and I remember feeling a little jealous as a kid that they “got” jokes I didn’t yet understand. Years later, when I watched Dr. Strangelove in college, I finally understood why she loved that movie so much. That same sharp satire was in this new film too, and I know she would have enjoyed it.
I miss her humor every day.
Love, Brenda
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When we moved away from Portland, my mom loved coming to visit us in the winter. By January, even my ever‑positive mom was tired of the gray skies, so a little sunshine was always welcome. Her visits often fell on her birthday, and I was thinking recently about how much I looked forward to those trips. It was so hard being far from her, and I never wanted to waste a single minute of the time we had together. I would wait right at the end of the tram so I could see her the second she arrived.
The first time I saw her step off the tram, she was with another woman, and they shared the warmest embrace as they said goodbye. After our usual hugging and crying, I asked if she’d run into someone she knew on the plane. She said no. Why did I ask? I told her I’d seen her saying goodbye to that woman. She smiled and said, “Oh, yes—she was lovely. I met her on the plane. She was seated next to me and we had the best conversation.”
That was so perfectly my mom. Everyone who met her loved her, and she loved everyone right back. Almost every visit, I’d see her bidding a heartfelt goodbye to yet another seatmate—people of all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life. And she always had a story to share about them once we got home. She even stayed in touch with several of the people she met that way. I have no doubt they still think fondly of the warm, kind woman they sat next to on their flight.
Love, Brenda
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Finding her soulmate in John was one of the great joys of my mom’s life. She was so happy with him, and so grateful for the love they shared. One story she told me every year—and I never got tired of hearing it—was how they never once missed watching the ball drop at midnight (Portland time) on New Year’s Eve. No matter what, they were always awake to watch it together and wish each other a Happy New Year. I always thought that was such a sweet little window into the way they loved each other.
This past New Year’s, I stayed up myself (which is rare for me) and found myself thinking about how lucky I was to have had both of them in my life for so many years.
I also spent countless New Year’s Days walking with my mom—some of my very favorite memories. She always said that whatever you do on New Year’s Day sets the tone for your whole year, so you should spend it doing something you love. This year, I went for a walk and thought about all the wonderful walks we shared over the years.
One of my favorites was with my mom and one of her (and my) dear friends, Betty. They were both in their 70s, and I was, of course, much younger. We did a five‑mile walk, and by the end I was the one worn out. Those two were still full of energy and ready to keep going—they out‑walked me without even trying. It still makes me smile.
Love,
Brenda
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My mom loved the holidays—spending time with her family was truly her favorite thing. This year has been hard, but most of my memories of her, especially holiday ones, are filled with joy, laughter, and love.
As I was wrapping last‑minute presents to get ready for family tomorrow, I couldn’t find one of the gifts I had for my sister‑in‑law. I searched everywhere and then had a moment of laughter, thinking of my mom. All of her kids know well that it was a Christmas tradition for her to lose one of our presents. It happened without fail every year. Sometimes the missing gift would turn up months later—in June or July—and sometimes it was never found at all.
I guess she passed that tradition on to me this year. Love you Mom.
Love, Brenda
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We recently got a puppy—the very day my dear mom passed away. She has been a welcome joy and a little terror, keeping me busy and distracted from sadness. I’ve struggled to keep the house clean; I clean up one mess only to turn around and find another. It amazes me to think that my mom (and all my siblings) managed this while caring for a newborn or toddler.
That brings me to one of Mom’s favorite stories, one she loved to tell with her magical laugh. Shortly after having my amazing older brother, she thought it would be a good idea to get a puppy. She never understood what she was thinking! So off to the pound (as it was called then), and there she saw two puppies: one quiet and shy in the corner, and one rambunctious and full of energy. Of course, she picked the energetic one. It all turned out well—Arnie was one of the best dogs ever. She loved that story.
Love, Brenda
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Loved taking walks with Sally and Betty and Trip.
Our meetings were eventful...Matinees on G Street, Ladies Lunches with their third musketeer Sandra...with our first extended acquaintance in Ashland.
Extended acquaintance with Sally?
Five stars...Highly recommend.
My favorite of Sally was her laugh. A most joyful sound...so inviting and twinkling.
I am so happy to have known her.
Sally has sprinkled her twinkling evermore into my heart.
Please enjoy these photos and video memories :
https://photos.app.goo.gl/JHc…
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