Sally was born just after midnight on Jan. 1, 1955 during a very bad snowstorm. Bob and I had traveled into Ely to see the Doctor and he had us stay. He wanted to deliver the New Years Baby! He succeeded in this, and we received many gifts.
She was named after my dear mother Sara, as she was called Sally by my father and all her close friends. So to me it was an endearing name.
From the time Sally was a tiny baby she was pleasant, loving, and easy to care for. Being only 16 months younger than her sister Bobbie I had two babies for a while. We were living just below my mother in my Grandmother’s little yellow house. Then we moved to our new home by Bob’s mother when it was finished. Because Sally was so easy to get along with, Bobbie ruled.
At a very young age we entered both the girls in The Robinson Dance Classes. We quickly found out the musical talent Sally had been blessed with. She certainly used this talent and added to it many times in her life. Grandmother Margaret was her piano teacher, and I had the girls practice in the early mornings and she was very obedient in doing this. Saxophone was added in about 4th grade and violin in Jr. High. We were always very proud of her musical abilities. Probably the proudest of all parents at her recitals.
How blessed I was as a mother to have Heavenly Father send Bobbie and Sally first. They were great helpers as the others came along. As babysitters they were a team - Bobbie's discipline kept them in line and the house clean, Sally would entertain them whether at the piano or reading stories to them. I sewed their dresses and playsuits on The Singer Treddle Machine. (I later gave it to Sally)
I sometimes worry that I was too busy a mother to give my children all the things and attention they needed, but Sally always was such a perfect child it didn’t seem to effect her. And she stayed near perfect all her life! We didn’t have extra money, usually just barely enough, but Sally never seemed to request more than we could provide. She was always satisfied at Christmas and on her Birthdays. We always left our Christmas Tree up for her New Years Birthday, with her gifts under the tree.
We were living in Orem, Utah when Sally was in Jr. High and her first 2 years of High School. She had many school and church activities and good friends that kept her always busy and happy. When Bob graduated from BYU it was time to move back to Lund to the farm, and to a teaching job there. I loved my home and wanted to stay in Orem and Sally had been chosen to be on the Orem High Drill and Dance teem. In helping to make our decision Bob had his patriarchal Blessing and wouldn’t you know it charted our course right back to the farm. I knew Sally was sad to leave her school and friends, but never did she complain to Bob or I. Her Jr. and Sr. years at Lund High School were good years too. Cheerleading and once again busy with school and friends. Nicole was born during Sally’s Senior year and she was my right hand helper. Sometimes she would get up in the middle of the night to give Nicole her feeding. I had to have some surgery after her birth so I came home not too well. Sally was a jewel!
Many visits from Elder Missionaries as Sally was trying to convert one of her friends. Even after the baptism the Missionaries kept coming.
Sally joined Bobbie at BYU and Eric joined them a year later to attend UVSC. They all 3 had jobs and it was still a struggle for us, but thank goodness for Grandparents help. Even in College she made do with little money. I was thankful both girls were working for Religion Professors. I remember when Sally called me and said she had a very good friend she was spending time with and his name was Mike. She said she really liked his mother.
She took time out of her busy College life to enter a pageant for Miss White Pine County. She used her violin as her talent. She didn’t much like the swim suit competition, but borrowed a swim suit and did well. She was runner up.
Sally was a beautiful bride and was very happy with her life. I got to stay and help a while after Cara was born and she was a natural and great mother. Through the years if Bob or I ever needed someone to confide in, it was always Sally that we called. Her caring wisdom was always a strength to us.
She knew how to have fun and enjoy life. She liked going on our River Rafting trip, almost as much as her Dad. Their music with guitar added much to our round the camp fire fun. One night we got carried away and a camp host had to come tell us it was time for lights out!
Her leadership abilities showed for in everything she did the church and family. She was gifted with a pleasant and friendly way to lead others. How we miss her in our family gatherings now! In another time and another place we shall have her back and I pray all of us (her family) will be together to enjoy her beautiful spirit again. We are thankful for the example she set and the love she gave.