"I just wanted to share an encouraging scripture with your family at John 5:28,29 it says "do not marvel at this because the hour is coming on which all those in memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out". This is definitely a time that all of us wait for, to see our loved ones again. "
In loving memory of
Sarah "Sallie" Fletcher
January 27, 1929 - April 26, 2014
Sarah Stanton Hoerner Fletcher, 85, of Keokuk, went to be with the Lord at 9:24 PM Saturday, April 26, 2014, at Keokuk Area Hospital.
Sallie was born January 27, 1929, in Keokuk, Iowa, a daughter of James Oldfather and Sarah Lynore Rich Hoerner. She and William Crawford Fletcher were married October 26, 1957, at St. John's Episcopal Church in Keokuk, Iowa. He preceded her in death in October, 1974. She earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Grinnell College in 1951 and graduated from Katharine Gibbs Secretarial School of Chicago in 1954. Following her education, she lived in Chicago, and Los Angeles before returning to Keokuk in 1957.
She was a member of St. John's Episcopal Church and a past president of Chapter LZ, P.E.O. She had been a member of Keokuk Library Foundation Board of Directors, Visiting Nurses' Association, and Birthright.
Sallie is survived by two daughters, Sarah Lynore Curley of Cincinnati, Ohio and Gay Nel Jordy of Metairie, Louisiana; stepdaughter, Sharon F. Johnson; six grandchildren, Rachel and Joshua Curley, Michael and Daniel Jordy, and Erik and Karin Johnson; three great grandchildren and one expected; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Elizabeth Hardy and Mary Wood.
Visitation will be after 3:00 Tuesday with family meeting friends from 5 to 7 at DeJong-Greaves Celebration of Life Center at 917 Blondeau Street. A public P.E.O. Memorial Service will be at 5:00 PM.
A Celebration of her life will be at 10:00 AM Wednesday, April 30 at St. John's Episcopal Church with Rev. Larry Snyder officiating. Burial will follow in Oakland Cemetery in Keokuk.
Memorials are suggested to St. John's Episcopal Church or to P.E.O. Continuing Education Loan Fund.
Tributes
"I just wanted to share an encouraging scripture with your family at John 5:28,29 it says "do not marvel at this because the hour is coming on which all those in memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out". This is definitely a time that all of us wait for, to see our loved ones again. "
"I am just reading these amazing memories. It has taken me awhile to get up the strength / courage to come to this site. You all are such an important part of our lives and I loved reading each and every memory. I am so very proud to call you family and friends. Thank you so very very much for your kind support during these difficult times. I choose to remember the good. And there is so much good to remember. Thank you all for helping us make those memories together. All my love to all of you!"
"As a young member of PEO in the 1970's, I admired Sallie. She was "always a lady" and a mentor in her actions. She spoke with fondness and pride in regard to her daughters and her warm smile made me happy to be in her presence."
"Heartfelt condolences to all the family.Sallie was a great and wonderful lady, I will always remember her."
"Lyn, I remember your Mother from St. John's Episcopal Church and her involvement there on Sundays and other church events. She seemed like such a strong lady to me. Losing your Mother is very difficult. Still missing mine so much. But God gives us strength and wonderful memories to cherish. God Bless. ~Shirley Templeton Vaughn"
"Sallie and I met briefly almost fifty years ago when Sharon and I were married. After we returned from overseas at the end of my tour of duty we were able to become friends as well as family. We got to know each other better during regular family visits. As we were the lone smokers, we would put off lighting up until everyone else had turned in, sip scotch and have quiet conversations. It was these that revealed her passion for family, dry wit and enormous common sense to me. The rapport which came from these talks endured and was reinforced by her on-going thoughtfulness and kindness to our family. I will miss her. "
"My earliest memories of Mama Sallie, as we called her, were of a trip to Keokuk. While I only remember a few details - buckskin Indian costumes and homemade ice cream - the main thing that I remember is the feeling of warmth and love that I got from my grandfather, Mama Sallie, and Aunt Lyn. Not long after, my grandfather passed away. But over the years, growing up, Mama Sallie was always a part of my life, despite the miles. She never forgot a birthday or Christmas, and was always quick to acknowledge an accomplishment. Her visits were always times of family, warmth and childhood adventure. Though she was many miles away, in many ways, she and Lyn were the closest non-immediate family members that I had. The last time I saw Mama Sallie in person was at my wedding to my wife, Erin. Though we hadn't seen each other in such a long time, it was in many ways as though no time at all had passed. And in the end, I was extremely fortunate to be able to talk to her not long before the end. Mama Sallie was a real blessing in my life. She was well loved, and will be missed. "
"Lyn, sitting with you while your Mom and Dad went out, first at the house across from Triangle Park, then at the big house, was my first job. Did you know how scared an only child is of her first babysitting job, especially when the "baby" is a child and precocious at that? And Sally Fletcher's child! Her propriety was daunting when I was that age, then as a young mother, I found so much to admire in her. As someone in the church, I admired that she could get things done, and she was a dream to have on your team, although you sometimes had to smile at her comments. Then I had children of my own. And we played musical sound tracks and sang to them. What a gift you and your family gave me. Thank you. May the soul of the faithful departed rest in peace; let light perpetual shine upon her. Love to you and yours, Claudia, St. Louis"
"Lyn - So sorry to hear the news about your Mom. I got to visit with her a few times last summer while my Mom was at River Hills - once with Mom, once just a quick hello while Sally was at lunch, and the last time was a great visit with just the two of us. We talked a lot about you and our high school days, and she was very comforting as we talked about my mom's failing health. I had not seen Sally since her, my mom and Mrs Fairchild had dinner at the Country Club the night of one of our class reunions (crashers!), so I am glad I had the chance to visit with her. She was a great lady, and I know you will always miss her. I bet she's up there right now with Martha, Mary Al and Fred comparing notes on their crazy kids! We're probably still in trouble! Stay strong, and always, always, remember the good times - Jay "
"When Sallie married my dad in 1957, despite growing up near-neighbors and our families being friends, she and I hardly knew each other. But we both thought that getting acquainted was important. Over the years, we worked to be family - Sallie did more than me in the early years. I had always wanted a sister, and she soon gave me one (even though each of us was raised as an "only child") and much later I learned I had a step-sister too. Sallie welcomed my children, taking care of 3-month-old Erik in Keokuk for a week when my husband Earl and I were apartment-hunting in Chicago, and a couple of years later visiting us with my dad to help when my daughter Karin was born. Sallie has had 3 "sets" of grandchildren, and loved them all, remembering them on birthdays and holidays and whenever she visited us or we visited her. Sallie had a good sense of humor and we enjoyed being with her. (She was a good cook, too!) We admired her for helping her Aunt Lydia and her mother Lenore, as well as my father, in their later years. We did not always agree - she made it a rule not to talk politics - but we were happy to have "Mama Sallie" as part of our family. She was sympathetic and helpful in trying times, and happy for us in good times. I will miss our finding things to laugh about in the past several years as we carried on our loving relationship by telephone. She once said to put your right hand on your left shoulder and your left hand on your right shoulder, squeeze and give yourself a hug. We will have to do that now that she can no longer hug any of us, in her memory. Sharon (Fletcher) Johnson"
"Sharon, My sincere condolences and may God be with you and your family at this sad time."