Sally May Patton, 64, of Dallas City, Ill., died Saturday, November 19, 2022, at the Blessing Hospital in Quincy.
Born August 24, 1958, in LaHarpe, Ill., she was the daughter of Ward DeHart and Doris Louise Torbet Vass. On November 27, 1982, she married James "Jim" E. Patton at the Colusa United Methodist Church in Colusa, Ill. They shared 26 years together before he passed on December 9, 2008.
She was a graduate of Dallas City High School and later Iowa Wesleyan University where she obtained her bachelor's degree of science in nursing.
Sally worked for over 40 years as a third-shift night nurse. She began her career in Galesburg at the psychiatric facility, where she met her husband and the love of her life, Jim. Over the years, Sally also worked at Montebello HealthCare Center in Hamilton, Ill., LaHarpe Nursing Home, the Keokuk Convalescent Center (later known as Lexington Square) Dave's Place, and River Hills Village in Keokuk, and finally at Heartland Manor in Macomb, Ill. Sally was proud to be an RN and was a strong advocate for the importance of residents' quality of life and practicing resident-centered care. During med pass, she would sometimes offer residents chocolate, as a special treat. She was known for always having a sweet or salty snack on hand during her shift.
Sally loved to shop, read, and travel, pretty much in that order! Affectionately known as "The Spoiling Aunt", she loved spending time with family. She liked to make fleece tie blankets and spent many weekends traveling to craft fairs with her sisters and nieces. At least once a year, she would get together with her sisters to take a special weekend trip. Sally and Jim enjoyed collecting cow and frog figurines which they displayed throughout their home. She liked musicals, especially anything by Andrew Lloyd Weber or Rogers & Hammerstein, and often went to see performances at the Muny in St. Louis. She also enjoyed attending the Iowa State Fair each year. At family gatherings, Sally could always be counted on to provide a delicious relish tray and, at Thanksgiving, a special cranberry salad that was enjoyed by all.
Survivors include her three brothers, Neal (Danita Sendelbach) Vass of Pearl, Miss., Carl (Elaine) Vass of Danville, and Clay (Janet) Vass of Canton, Ill.; three sisters, Ada Vass of Colusa, Ill., Verla (Ken) Custer of Jackson, Mich., and Norene (Bill) Ault of Greenup, Ill.; nieces and nephews: Ruth (Lee) Getchius, Rachel (Daniel) Vass, Jenny (Solomon) Conrad, Mindy (Bill) Hoover, Kenneth (Stephanie) Vass, Lorrie Page, Jake Vass, Jill (Patrick) Moore, Charley Ault, Kierstan (Craig) Hensley, and Victoria Ault; great-nieces and nephews: Grace and Isaac Conrad, Andrew Vass, Mason Moore, and Tobias Hensley; and best friend Kim Milligan.
She was preceded in death by her parents and husband.
Family will receive friends from 2 to 3 p.m., Saturday, November 26, 2022, followed by a 3 p.m. Celebration of Life at Prugh Funeral Service, 3940 Division St., Burlington, with Carl Vass and Verla Custer co-officiating. A time of food and fellowship will be held at Danville Congregational United Church of Christ in Danville, following the service. Burial will be in Byler Cemetery at a later date.
A memorial has been established.