With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Mrs. Sally McFaul, a woman of grace, humor, and boundless compassion, who passed away unexpectedly from complications following hip replacement surgery at Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas, Texas.

Born to Basil and Wilma Bassman in St. Louis, Missouri, Sally was raised in the Lutheran Church (Missouri Synod) alongside her siblings Susan, Mary, and Bill. She graduated from Southeast Missouri State College with a B.S. in Education in 1965. She met her first husband, Michael Stevenson, during her college years. They were blessed with two daughters, Michelle Renee and Dawn Nicole, and lived in Kansas City and Denver before parting ways.

Sally’s career began in teaching, but she found her passion in volunteer services, holding leadership roles at St. Luke’s Hospital in Denver and Colorado Lutheran Nursing Home in Arvada, where her warmth and dedication were cherished. In 1988, she made a selfless decision to move to Naperville, Illinois, for her daughter Dawn, so Dawn could be closer to Dawn's father and his family.

In Illinois, Sally thrived as the Director of Volunteers at Northwestern Hospital and later in hospice care at the Hospice of DuPage, where she launched the “Tree of Life” service honoring those who had passed. Retirement didn’t slow her down; she started worship services for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients, helping them reconnect with their faith.

In 2002, Sally found her soulmate, Tom McFaul, through Match.com. The two married and shared 22 joyous years together, filled with love, laughter, and adventures in Illinois, Texas, and their beloved retirement community at Edgemere in Dallas.

Sally was known for her warmth, self-deprecating humor, and deeply spiritual nature. She dedicated her life to serving others, treating the elderly and dying with dignity, and sharing her compassionate heart with everyone she met.

She is survived by her devoted husband, Tom McFaul; daughters Michelle Markey Wood and Dawn Stevenson; stepchildren Kim Chiappetta and Brad McFaul; siblings Susan Bydalek, Mary Guller, and Bill Bassman; and her cherished grandchildren Luke, Christian, and Sean Markey, Kate, Matt and Nick Chiappetta, and Alexander, Evan and Eleanor McFaul.

Sally’s legacy includes her two loving daughters, a 30-year career managing volunteer programs, founding worship services for dementia patients, and her enduring marriage to Tom. Even in her final years, despite the challenges of dementia, Sally’s sense of humor and kindness never wavered.

A celebration of her life will be held on February 1, 2025, at 3:00 PM in the PAC Room at Edgemere, with a reception on February 1, 2025, at 4:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at https://everloved.com/life-of.

Sally’s life was a testament to love, service, and laughter. She will be deeply missed and forever held in our hearts.

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