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Sally Jo Sallier, 78, of Orange, TX passed away peacefully on Saturday November 11, 2023.

Sally was born in Punxsutawney, PA on February 20, 1945, to the late Charles and Josephine (Brown) Vitello.

Sally spent her childhood and early adult life in Pennsylvania, but she lived the majority of her adult life in Orange, TX.

She also lived in Gastonia, NC during the 1990s. At the time of her death, Sally was living in Illinois to be closer to her daughter and family during her illness.

Sally did various jobs throughout her life including working as an elementary school aide, a physical therapist assistant and most recently as a doscent at The Stark House in Orange, TX.

This job allowed her to share her love of historic homes and antiques with others.

She was also a multi-faceted artist who was always working on some artistic endeavor such as painting, cross-stitching, quilting or refinishing old furniture.

Sally was very creative, and she loved searching antique shops with friends to find some hidden treasure.

Sally also loved the ocean and all the treasures it offered. Her favorite vacation was going to the ocean to walk the shores and search for sea glass and shells.

One of her favorite spots was Galveston, TX where she spent several spring breaks searching the shoreline with her grandchildren.

Sally also loved all animals and adopted many dogs throughout her life and was known to help any animal in need.

Sally’s true love, though, was her family. She was a devoted mother and grandmother who treasured her visits with her children and grandchildren.

Her ever-present smiles and hugs and caring spirit will be greatly missed by all her family and friends.

Sally was preceded in death by her son Sean Anderson and is survived by her daughter Dana McLaughlin, son-in-law Chris and three grandchildren Owen and Grace (children of Dana and Chris) of Wilmette, IL and Sean Anderson II (son of Sean) of Gastonia, NC.  She is also survived by her sister and brother-in-law Jodi and Barney Conway of Salisbury, MD.

In addition to her son and her parents, Sally was preceded in death by two sisters Jean Reken and Joyce Heitzer and two brothers-in-law Andrew Reken and Frances “Buzz” Heitzer.

A memorial service will be held for Sally on December 1st at 1 pm at Kenilworth Union Church in Kenilworth, IL.

A reception at the church will immediately follow the service.  A live stream of the service will also be available for family and friends who are unable to attend at 1pm CST / 2pm EST at www.kuc.org/watch.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).