Sarah Ganger

Sarah (Sally) McAllister Ganger passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 25, 2014, of ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). Her husband, Bill, was at her side. In her final weeks, she enjoyed visits with all of her children, her sisters, and many dear friends.

Sally was born October 9, 1935 in Moorestown, NJ. She attended The Moorestown Friends School followed by Carlton College. After college, Sally joined her sister, Betty, in Cleveland and took a position with The Wyatt Company, an actuarial consulting firm where she remained for five years. In January 1958, Sally met Bill Ganger and they discovered a mutual love of outdoor activity, skiing and skating, "not caring whether we were very good, but just enjoying being together." They were married less than three months later on April 12, 1958 and over the next five and half decades, never ran out of things they loved to do together.

Sally and Bill raised three children. Skiing and skating outings turned into family ski trips. Summer weekends were spent at Roaming Rock Shores, swimming and boating. The family vacation at the Jersey Shore in August has been a treasured time for reuniting with the extended family for over 50 summers.

While her children were young, Sally volunteered in every school the children attended, from Church of the Saviour Cooperative Preschool through the PTAs of Fairfax Elementary, Roxboro Junior High, and Cleveland Heights High Schools, several times serving as President and coordinating numerous sales and fundraisers. She was a Girl Scout leader from 1970-74. In 1979, Sally returned to work part-time. She took a position at Case Western Reserve University in the Budgets and Planning Office, where she worked for 20 years. After retirement, Sally and Bill enjoyed travelling together, going on walking trips in England, driving trips around the U.S. and vacations to Europe and Australia. Closer to home, they enjoyed the Cleveland Orchestra and local theater. They took up curling, which Sally was able to enjoy until very recently. Sally also took great pleasure in being a member of the Fork and Hoe Garden Club for many decades.

Throughout her life in Cleveland, Sally was an active member of the St. Paul's Episcopal Church parish. She served on the vestry and altar guild. With other members of Eliza Backus, she helped plan countless receptions. And, with great joy, she played in the St. Paul's Church Hand Bell Choir for over 25 years.

Sally is survived by her husband of 56 years, William M. Ganger, and their children, Mary (Molly) Ganger Castaldo, of Hanover, NH, and her husband, Neil; William M. Ganger, Jr. of Chagrin Falls, OH, and his wife, Jen, and Elizabeth Carmany Ganger of Hoosick Falls, NY, and her husband, Jonah Spivak; seven grandchildren, Zack, John and Drew Ganger, Emma and Jack Spivak and Sophia and Anthony Castaldo, as well as her sisters, Betty Brown (Charlie, deceased), of Minneapolis, MN, and Mary Teale (Bill), of Williamsburg, VA, and many nieces and nephews. Sally was predeceased by her parents, Mildred (Stout) McAllister and Townsend Sherman McAllister.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Sally's memory to Hospice of the Western Reserve, 300 E. 185th St., Cleveland, OH 44119 or to Saint Paul's Episcopal Church, 2747 Fairmount Blvd., Cleveland Hts., OH 44106 where a Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, May 31 at 10:30 a.m. A reception at the church will immediately follow the service. There will be no calling hours.




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