In Loving Memory
Sally Stallard
Sally L. Stallard, 76, passed away in her home on October 27, 2020 surrounded by her loving family.
Sally was born in Portland, Oregon, on April 21, 1944, to Leonard and Theodora (Tarbell) Buckler. She grew up in Portland through her high school years, and attended college in Evanston, Illinois, at both Kendall College and National Teachers College (now National-Louis University), earning her degree in Elementary Education. She settled in Deerfield, Illinois for a time before moving to Woodstock, Illinois.
Sally was a volunteer with the Mental Health Resource League of McHenry County, and worked in the PTO and Market Day committee at the schools attended by her children. She was an avid gardener and kept a huge vegetable garden, where she loved to spend summer days.
Sally worked at Laura and Wally Grigg’s bookstore in Woodstock, Illinois, which later became Books on the Square. She loved her job and found great joy in reading. When Books on the Square closed in 1999, she went to work as the office manager at Carey Electric in McHenry, where she worked until her retirement in 2015.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Elizabeth (Stallard) and Shane Rank and grandchildren Hayden and Noah, all of whom she lived with in Crystal Lake, Illinois; her sisters Beatrice Borland of Cary, Illinois and Patricia Nielsen of Anthem, Arizona; and son Greg (Amberly), and their two children.
Due to the Covid pandemic, the family has chosen to safely remember Sally with a website in her honor, where friends and family can visit and leave remembrances. The website will be made by LightenArrangements.com.
Sally’s beloved family will also be holding a small private outdoor memorial and dedication ceremony at their home in the Spring. Sally requested to be remembered there with fruit trees and a memorial garden.
Share this page:
Photos of Sally
Please enjoy these moments from Sally's life that Sally's family has chosen to share.
Gallery
Guestbook
Please join us in celebrating Sally’s life by sharing your stories and memories of her.
6 Comments
Leave a Reply to Melissa L Cancel reply
Mom’s Legacy
When I think of Mom, the first thing that comes to mind is how positive and caring she was, and how beautiful her smile was. I have so many memories of her smiling and laughing and dancing. When she would clean windows on Saturdays, she would blast music and dance. I can hear her snapping her fingers and picture her dancing. Growing up, I felt so much love and so much security because of Mom. She taught me to love books and reading, to love art and music, and to always look for the best in people and in every situation. She taught me that honesty was always the best policy, and that even if things were going wrong, that “tomorrow is another day”.
One of my favorite memories of Mom is from when I was about 4 years old. We were grocery shopping, and I had taken a small piece of Brach’s candy from the open candy bins in the shop. It was a caramel candy with a cream center. I always thought they looked so beautiful and therefore must taste absolutely delicious. Mom wasn’t big on buying candy for us, so I thought I would take one. Just one. I couldn’t resist. When we got into the car, and I started to unwrap the candy, Mom heard it and stopped the car. She marched me right back in to the Village Market and asked to speak to the manager. He came out and Mom made me tell him what I had done. He was very kind and a bit shocked, but I learned a lesson that day that stuck with me for life. Dishonesty at any level is not worth the price! I also learned, as my mother later hugged me while I cried and apologized, that compassion and love would always be there, even if I made a mistake. All I had to do is be honest about it. I carry that knowledge today, and have shared it with my two children. And we may or may not have had two similar occasions with trips back into stores- one trip for each child- when my kids were small. Mom’s lessons will endure for generations.
Mom encouraged me in everything. She never made me feel silly for the things I loved and wanted to do. She sat by the pool for hours while I swam until my fingers were wrinkled. She took me to riding lessons and stood and watched me ride- making sure that I had taken my allergy pills, of course! She let me have friends over all the time and never got mad at us for being silly or making a mess. She drove my friends and I around town endlessly on Friday nights with the music blasting so we could feel “cool”. My friends all loved Mom. She was the “cool” mom, and always supported us and was there for all my friends if they needed to talk.
When I met the man I would marry, Mom’s support was constant. She loved Shane so much – I can remember going shopping with the two of them, and being horrified because they would set off all of the talking kid’s toys in the aisle in which I was standing, and then run away, leaving me standing there with chattering toys. They would be laughing so hard together. I remember driving to Florida with Mom and the boys, and Shane and Mom giggling away in the front seat while the kids and I slept. She adored him, and vice versa, and I am so thankful for that.
My boys had the most wonderful Grandma. She adored them and would always make them feel special. Hayden would say to me “Grandma doesn’t say no”. And it was true, and I didn’t mind. After all, Grandma Teddy was the same way with me. I think it must run in our family. Which means I will be carrying on with that tradition one day… get ready, Hayden and Noah!
As I’m writing, I am realizing that the running theme in Mom’s life, and her greatest blessing, which will be her legacy, was the way she made others feel. Anyone around her was better for the experience. She radiated love and kindness, humor and LIFE! She was so loved because she loved so much, and never hesitated to give of herself to others. She always focused on the positive in every situation, and taught me to do the same. She taught me to love others, and to “treat people the way you want to be treated”. We didn’t always go to church, but Mom modeled in her everyday life what it meant to love God and to love others. I am so thankful for the woman I am, and that is because of the woman she was. A beautiful soul, inside and out, whose legacy of love will live on in her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, for generations to come.
Whenever I smell Coppertone, tomato vines, peppermints, zucchini bread, or White Shoulders, I will think of you, Mom. Whenever I work in my garden, clean my house while blasting music, do a puzzle, or sew anything, I will think of you. Whenever I hear 70’s music, especially the BeeGees, Jim Croce, or Neil Diamond, I will think of you. Whenever I see birds- especially cardinals and chickadees, I will think of you. My beautiful, wonderful Mommy, I will think of you all the time, and although at first these memories will make me cry, they will always make me happy because you are here with me. I love you.
All my love,
Beth
My Mom
Sisters Are Forever
Sisters are forever,
Whether near or far apart,
True treasures to cherish,
In spirit and heart.
Love you, Sally
Bea
My Grandma
My grandma was the best grandma I could have possibly asked for. Before she got sick she was the most lively, energetic, and fun person I knew. She would take me and my brother on trips all around her neighborhood and take us to all these little stores and buy us whatever we wanted. She always supported us in whatever we wanted to do. She told us that as long as it made us happy that we could do whatever we wanted. Her house was the most comforting place in the world. My favorite thing to do was go over to her house and use her paper shredder. She would save all the mail she got for me to shred whenever I came over. We would also watch mystery shows all the time and do jigsaw puzzles together. We would watch Gordon Ramsey and make fun of the food people made. I will never forget all the things we did, all the places we went, and all the things she taught me. She taught me more than any school or institution could ever teach me. She taught me things that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. And despite her age, she was one of the toughest people I knew. We would always call her the gangsta granny because of how tough she was. She lived through cancer, partial dementia, a broken wrist, and falling down a fleight of stairs. All so she could be with us as long as she possibly could. My grandma was the most influential person ive ever had in my life. I will never forget her and I will carry the memory of her throughout my entire life. I know she will always be with me. And if I had the opportunity to tell her just one thing, I would tell her thank you. Thank for everything youve done for me, and my family. I love you grandma.
Love, Hayden
Grandma
A Letter to My Aunt in Heaven
Dear Sally,
I remember when you came to live with us in Glenview to go to college. I was so excited! It was like having a big sister. You were so fun to have around! You let me dress up in your dresses and size 5 high heels. You were so tiny that I could almost fit in your shoes. I thought that was so cool! You bought me my first record, “Sherry” by the Four Seasons. I played it over and over until everyone was sick of hearing it. You, also, taught me how to dance the Twist and the Shake. We had many dance parties in our music room. Thank you…
When my parents were away you would take care of my brother and me. Even though you were a strict babysitter (if you said be home by 8 you better be) we loved you! Thank you….
As the years went on and you moved to Evanston in my favorite apartment with Patty and Grandma Teddy I would have sleepovers and play cards and shop. You always made me feel loved. Thank you…
You hosted my first baby shower in your beautiful Deerfield home. Thank you….
You became not only a great-aunt but a God mother to my daughter, Laura. Thank you…
You helped me buy my favorite Victorian home in Cary by telling the bank you would be the back- up plan if needed. Thank you…
You were always there for me as an aunt and friend. You will be so missed. You were like a guardian angel and now you are an angel of God.
Angel of God
My guardian dear
To whom God’s love
Commits me here.
Ever this day
Be at my side
To light and guard,
To rule and guide.
Amen
All my love to you,
Cheryl
My Dearest Aunt Sally
My Dearest Aunt Sally,
There are so many things to love about you but what I love you most for is loving me with all your heart. Everyone who knows me knows I have a terrible memory but you managed to make such an impact in my life that I have held onto so many memories of you. You probably don’t realize how loved you l made me feel, how calm you made me feel, how safe you made me feel. I was always amazed at how busy you always were with things like gardening, mowing, laundry, cleaning the house/pool, cooking and baking yet still had time to make me feel special and as if I was one of your own children and not just your niece visiting. Your home was my home. Your home was my calm. Your home was my happy place. Thank you for always loving me!
Love, Kim
How beautiful! An amazing woman with an amazing daughter. Thank you for letting me into your life and your home. I will always remember the love between mother and daughter as well as how much Sally loved her family. She made me smile and blessed me in a way in which words cannot express.
Thank you so much, Theresa. You are an angel on Earth. Mom loved you and appreciated your care so much. ❤️
I enjoyed having Sally as a client. She was so wonderful and kind. She had such a bubbly and positive vibe about her. I loved how much she enjoyed getting her hair cut. She always left with a big smile on her face and raved at how beautiful she felt, which always gave me the biggest smile. I will never forget that.
Thank you, Alyssa. She loved you. ❤️
Dear Beth,
Such beautiful photos to commentate an amazing woman. She was so blessed to have you, Shane, and kids in her life. Hugs and love to you and your family. ?
Thank you so much. ❤️