Sally Warden Walker's Obituary
SALLY WARDEN WALKER February 5, 1929 - August 19, 2004Surrounded by family, foremost in the thoughts of her many friends and admirers, and secure in her faith, Sally passed away after a year-long illness.Sally Anne Warden was born and raised on the North Shore of Chicago, where she graduated from New Trier High School. She then attended William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri, where she met fellow student O.B. Walker, a WWII Navy veteran whom she married on December 28, 1948.They lived in Missouri, Illinois, Michigan and Indiana while they started a family and O.B. pursued a career in Marketing. In 1962 they moved to Lakewood, Washington, where Nalley's of Tacoma employed O.B. In 1967 this employment took the family to Vancouver, B.C., where O.B. was the General Manager of Nalley's Ltd. for nine years. In 1976 they returned to Washington, making their home in University Place.While it has been said that there are no second acts in American lives, Sally's second act was as exceptional as it was unforeseen. Up to this point the duties and pleasures of being a wife, mother of five, and an active member of her church had filled her time. However, as her children grew and her responsibilities were thus lessened, she began to do volunteer work for the University Place Parks Board in 1978, which eventually led to her becoming a Parks Commissioner. She served for six years, becoming the first Chair of the Parks Board - and at that time, one might have said this was a nice coda to a well-rounded life.But it was rather the overture to her career in serious politics. In 1984, she ran for a seat in the Washington State Legislature out of the (then) 28th District, and was elected (as became her style) with a strong plurality. Ultimately, she served three terms in Olympia. During that period she was a member of the Education and Transportation Committees, and was a Vice-Chair of the Republican Caucus. Although service in the Legislature is ostensibly a part-time job, her constituency will remember her for her year-round dedication to its interests and the genuine compassion with which she engaged people and their concerns.In 1990, wishing to remain closer to home, she sought the appointment to a vacant seat in the Pierce County Council. She filled that position for two years prior to running for and winning a full four-year term in 1992. For the final two years of that term, she was the Council's Chairperson.In 1996, she retired from politics and devoted her time to enjoying her family.Those who witnessed the last year of her life will not forget the example of composure, faith and cheerfulness which she made in the face of an insurmountable affliction.Sally was preceded in death by her parents Florence Emily (Collins) Warden and Sidney Charles Warden. She is survived by her beloved husband O.B, to whom she was married for fifty-six years; her sister Nancie Warden Kelley (and family); her son Richard (Gay); her daughters Christine, Nancy, Catherine (Andy Hall) and Sara (Tom Perry); and her grandchildren Benjamin and Leah.Memorial services will be held at St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Lakewood, Washington on Thursday, August 26, 2004 at 2:00 p.m., with a reception to follow at the Parish Hall.Contributions in her name may be made to Multicare Health Foundation, Mary Bridge Children's Hospital, Multicare Hospice or Greater Lakes Mental Health Foundation.
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