Sally Walton

Sally Walton was a devout Catholic who lived her faith in her day-to-day living. She viewed family life as a sacrament, staying faithful to her husband of forty-eight years and raising a son and three daughters in a loving home. She also helped with her younger siblings when her mother died when Sally was seventeen.

Born on September 28, 1938 in Grand Rapids, Michigan to Ernest and Florence (Mesunas) Scott, Sally was the third of six children. Ernest and Florence worked hard to raise Sally along with her siblings: Irene, Marie, Donald, Donna and Barbara. The years in which Sally grew up were the end of the Great Depression and the World War II years that followed. Both these events made a huge impact on the generation that lived through them. Sally’s values were influenced by her family and their strong faith. The Scott family faithfully attended Mass at St. Adalberts Catholic Church where they lived on the west side of the city. Enjoying a happy childhood, Sally attended St. Adalberts Catholic Elementary School and played with her friends in her spare time. Later, she attended West Catholic and Catholic Central High School.

Tragically, on Thanksgiving Day, when Sally was only seventeen, her mother passed away. Stepping up to the plate to help support the family, Sally dropped out of school and found a job in a local factory. While circumstances had forced Sally to mature quickly, she still found time for fun. She and her friends loved to spend time at the Soda Shop on the corner of Stocking and Fourth Street. One day, a man named Richard Walton noticed Sally laughing and talking with her friends. He was attracted to this pretty young girl and he quietly asked the shop owner who she was. Later, Sally received a phone call from a mysterious caller who didn’t reveal his identity. Over the next few months, Sally and Richard continued their “telephone courtship” until they decided it was time to meet face-to-face. Their first meeting place was of course, the Soda Shop and after dating for ten months they made their love official, exchanging their vows on October 20, 1956.

The happy couple began their life together, purchasing a home on National Street N. W. It was here that their first child, Deborah, was born on August 2, 1957. They were blessed with three more children, Pamela (January 16, 1959), Robert (October 19, 1960) and Linda (June 25, 1962.) While the children were small, the home at 30 National N. W. was sufficient for the family. (They rented the upstairs apartment to another family). As the children grew older, the family decided to move to a bigger house on Rowe N. E., where Richard and Sally lived even after the children left home. The family enjoyed spending their vacation time at Little White Fish Lake, where Sally and Richard owned a summer trailer home. Splashing in the water, racing in their speed boat and cherishing the time as a family is how the Walton’s spent their summer days. Sally was involved in all aspects of her children’s lives, making sure they attended Mass, as well as molding their character and values at home. She was always willing to assist them in anyway she was needed.

After retirement, Sally and Richard enjoyed taking their motor home to Gulf Shores in the winter and Lake Cadillac and Sault St. Marie in the summer. The last year of Richard’s life was spent vacationing together in their motor home with only two months spent at home. Even after her beloved husband had passed away, Sally continued to winter at Golf Shores, Alabama, one daughter driving her down and another daughter driving her back.

When Sally became a grandmother, her willingness to be helpful continued to the next generation. Again, Sally was willing to help out in anyway possible with her grandchildren. She loved having family around and was always willing to babysit, making each grandchild feel loved and special.

Sunday dinners were always a special family time where Sally pulled out all the stops to make a spectacular dinner. It didn’t matter if extra people came at the last minute, Sally’s dinner table was large enough to accommodate everyone. The family Sunday dinners were traditions that were looked upon with anticipation by all the family members.

In her spare time, Sally was an avid reader, who also enjoyed the challenge of a crossword puzzle and playing cards with family and friends. Her favorite places to eat were McDonald’s and Old Country Buffet.

This past winter, Sally was diagnosed with a skin disease and spent some time in the hospital while they ran tests to confirm the diagnosis.

Sally was a kind and helpful person, not only with her family growing up, but later with her own family as well. She was the kind of person others could depend on through good times and bad. She will be greatly missed by all who were blessed to know and love her.

Sally J. Walton, aged 70 of Grand Rapids passed away in her sleep Tuesday May 26, 2009. She was preceded in death by her husband, of 48 years, Richard in 2005. Surviving are her children: Deborah (Randy) Westveer, Pamela Coates, Robert (Karen) Walton, Linda (Eric) Randall, her grandchildren: Anthony Coates, Adam Coates, Aaron Coates, Andrew Coates, Shannon Randall, Chad Randall, Mary Westveer, Kaylee Walton, 5 great grandchildren, her brother and sisters: Irene and Richard Poelman, Marie Matel, Donald Scott, Donna and Arthur Hopkins, Barbara Thomas and several nieces and nephews. Mrs. Walton reposes at the Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, Van Strien – Creston Chapel, 1833 Plainfield N.E., where relatives and friends may meet her family Thursday from 7-9 P.M. and Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. and where a Bible Vigil Service will be held Friday evening at 8:30 P.M. Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday at 11 A.M. at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church where Mrs. Walton will repose from 10 A.M. until the time of the funeral mass. Interment will follow in Resurrection Cemetery. Contributions in Sally's memory may be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Association. To share a memory or sign the on line register book please visit www.lifestorynet.com.