Sally Ellen Watton's Obituary
Sally Ellen Watton, nee Torpin
Born February 20, 1931 in Philadelphia to Richard Torpin III and Margaret Chase. Sally passed away peacefully to join her beloved relatives, friends and "critters" at the Big Reunion Above on October 23, 2011 in Rehoboth, DE. She was a graduate of Cheltenham High School and Centenary College for Women. Sally successfully embraced a variety of interests and adventures throughout her life with enthusiasm and warmth. She was a devoted daughter, writer and actress in TV's early days in both Philadelphia and New York City, an executive's wife, an amazingly supportive and involved mother to her 3 children, a Fashion Coordinator and Commentator, a docent for several community organizations, and an active parishioner at her churches in PA , MI, and lastly, in Lewes, DE.
Some of our favorite memories of Mom, or Bama to her grandchildren, include: sharing her love of live theater, always having a smile to share, seeing the world through Rose Colored Glasses, sunrises and sunsets at the beach, throwing First Snow of the Season, Tomato, and Christmas Cookie Exchange Parties, Grotto Pizza before sending her grandchildren off Trick or Treating, dry cake-like brownies even more special when topped with green icing on St. Patty's Day, having a strong faith and moral compass, integrity, Traditions, made sure we knew how to properly set a table, use the Good Silver every day, Estee Lauder "After 25 cream", Roast "Beast", lamb chops and ginger ale cure all ills and don't forget to ring the bell, CHOCOLATE-DARK and lots of it, "savies and sussies" fuzzy slippers, driving across the country in 1950 with three college friends and riding a donkey in the Grand Canyon on their way to Hollywood, touring castles in Scotland and England (including the town of Watton, England), Hawaii, Paris, Eastover, The Skirmish, HER Seashore, driving 1300 miles for a practical joke, The Costume Closet, because to Mom EVERY uniform was in truth a costume, the birthday MONTH concept, hand-talking, a heart of gold-but just don't mess with her cubs, making plans, finding Frank for Dedde, Sally-land is better than OZ.
Bama was a beautiful person. She was a happy person. She weathered life's ups and downs with unusual grace. Her legacy will be realized by us not missing her too much. She would want us to move on and make the most of our time here. She would want us to be happy, too. Bama left her body last night but as always her light remains on us. Goodbye Sally Torpin Watton, our Bama. She was smart and creative and very much her own person, with so much to offer. Her generosity towards others almost made us forget that at times. It was a happy problem to have.
Sally is lovingly survived by her greatest unfinished work, her loving husband of 59 years Donald, children Dedde Cornell (Frank) Boise, ID, Donna deKuyper (Scott) Lewes, DE, Ric Watton (Lisa) Atlanta, GA, and grandchildren Ana (Shaz), "Z"achary (Andrea), Montana, McKinnon, Chase, Payton, extended family Elizabeth, Lin, Peggy, and many treasured friends. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Sussex County DE S.P.C.A., Vitas Hospice, or St. Peters Episcopal Church in Lewes, DE. Burial will be private and a memorial service will be held at her beach in the summer of 2012.
Visit Mrs. Watton's Life Memorial at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com
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