Lydia G. Sally's Obituary
Lydia G. Sally, born May 28th, 1943; went into the Light on October 30th, 2025. Lydia was born in Naomi, WV and later moved to Northeast OH with her parents. She graduated from Ravenna High School, class of 1961. Her first job while still in high school was at the Short Stop Drive-In in Kent, OH, waitressing as a car hop on skates. Soon after she graduated, she moved from Ravenna to Kent. One of her proudest accomplishments was setting up and stewarding the first battered women's shelter in Portage County. The shelter served many women and children and was a very successful mission for our Community. Lydia also joined a young women’s club in Kent where her project was to sew matching outfits for her mother, her children, and herself. She won first prize for her efforts and was pictured in the Record Courier. Lydia had many interests, including attending Christ Episcopal Church of Kent. There she taught Bible Study for several years. She was asked by her priest and a professor at Kent State University to teach a class on "The Book", (The Bible), at the University. It was a very successful and popular class. Later, Lydia enjoyed playing softball at the Kent Parks & Recreation league where her team won a trophy and she was hooked. Lydia was described as a very intelligent and complicated scholar and artist of life who was always seeking the Light. She loved flowers and loved planting them in her yard and caring for them. An avid reader, Lydia became a writer of poetry and was an aspiring artist. She attended Kent State University where she earned her degree in Rhetoric & Communications. Lydia was also a member of the Methodist Church of Brimfield where she was wed to her husband, Dr. Jon H. Sally, on June 11, 1969. She continued her love of studying the Bible later in life. Above all, she loved her children and adored her husband, who endearingly called her Tootsie and wrote her a love note every single day.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Jessey Miller (wife Fran Miller) & Edith Schlabach (husband Alvin Schlabach), and her husband of 49 years, Jon H. Sally, of Kent who went to be with Jesus October 22nd, 2018. Lydia had four children, two birthed and two from marrying Jon, her partner in life. Sons L. DeWayne Knight (Erika) of Rootstown, OH, Kevin John Sally (Michelle) of Brimfield, OH and Bret David Sally (Kelly) of Woodstock, GA, and Daughter Lesa Sally Lillibridge (Kim E. Tullis) of Tallmadge, OH. Lydia also adored her grandchildren, Kira Marie Knight (Jedidiah), Megan Elizabeth Whitacre (Joseph), Jillian Sally (Michael) and Kyle Paserba. She is survived also by her two great grandchildren, Wesley and Beau Whitacre, who will carry on her love of life and the Family legacy for the next generation.
In lieu of flowers, Lydia's wish is for you to please make a donation to the American Cancer Society as a Memorial to the many in Lydia's family, and her best friend Char Doherty, that cancer has affected or taken. On Wednesday, November 5, 2025 at 5pm, a short service will be held at the Brimfield Methodist Church, 1235 Tallmadge on Rd, Kent, OH 44240. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family over food and beverages in the church basement after the service.
Lydia's children would like to thank the staff of Mulberry Gardens Memory Care in Munroe Falls and Corso Care Hospice of Stark County for their endearment of our Mom and doing "God's Work", as well as the staff of Danbury Assisted Living in Tallmadge OH. May God finally rest our Mom's soul in the afterlife and give her solace and peace as she joins our Dad, Doctor Sally, where they'll be dancing and in perfect health and love, Always!
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