Sally L. Murray Henry, 73, of Chicora went home to the Lord while in the company of her loving husband at Good Samaritan Hospice in Cabot Saturday morning, July 1, 2023.
Sally was born at home in Rimersburg on November 9, 1949. She was the daughter of the late William Ellis and Ada Eshbaugh Murray. Sally grew up in Rimersburg and in her early years attended a one room school. She was a proud graduate of the 1967 class of Union High School in Rimersburg and graduated from Clarion College with a B.S. in education in 1971. In 1980 Sally earned a reading specialist degree from Clarion College.
She began her teaching career in the Bald Eagle School District while living in State College. It was during this period that she met and, in 1979, married her husband, Larry Henry, in a sunrise service in Boalsburg on October 20. Following Larry’s career path they began married life in Emporium, while first residing in a vacated doctor’s office. In 1982 they were blessed with a daughter, Ashlee, and in 1985 a son, Tyler. Sally taught reading in the Cameron County School District during this time.
In 1987 an opportunity moved her family to Shinglehouse, and she continued teaching in the Oswayo Valley School District. Having a home built on Hickory Circle provided good neighbors and lots of children for playmates.
One final move took her and her family to Chicora, where she continued raising her family and teaching in the Karns City School District. She retired from the Karns City Area School District in 2011. She took great pride in and enjoyed her relationships with her reading co-workers.
Sally influenced many students over the years, and in addition to her teaching career, she supported local families through service on the boards of the Petroleum Valley Youth Center and Communities That Care.
Sally’s greatest legacy was her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed family gatherings, hosting company, and cooking. Always a good cook, her specialty at Christmas was raisin filled cookies.
She is survived by her husband of 43 years, Larry Henry; her children, Ashlee E. Traister of Grove City and Tyler N. Henry and his wife, Haley, of Carlisle. Sally was affectionately “Mimi” to her grandchildren, who were the light of her life, Adalynn “Addy” Traister, and Brandtley and Cadan Henry. Also surviving are four siblings, James Murray and his wife, Eva, of Clarion, Larry Murray of Rimersburg, Dennis Murray and his wife, Jacqueline, of West Middlesex, and Peg Hilliard of Knox, a brother-in-law, sister-in-law, and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, Sally was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Mike Traister, who died on June 6, 2021, and two siblings, Dean Murray and Betty Jane Mortimer.
Sally and her family believe it takes a community to raise a child and would like to thank all the communities that were part of their lives for their contribution.
The family would also like to thank the staff at UPMC Cancer Clinic in Butler, Butler Hospital, and Good Samaritan Hospice for the skilled and compassionate care they provided.
Friends will be received at the Hile Funeral Home of Chicora, 339 Chicora Fenelton Rd., Chicora, from 4-7 p.m. Thursday and on Friday from 10-11 a.m. where a funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Mark Wallace, pastor of the Chicora Alliance Church, officiating. Interment will be in Rimersburg Cemetery. Contributions in Sally’s memory may be made to Petroleum Valley Youth Center, PO Box 226, Chicora, PA 16025. Condolences may be sent by visiting www.hilefh.com.