Sally spent many of her childhood years in Los Angeles, Calif., moving to Maine when she was nine. Living on Bailey Island, Sally attended Harpswell Islands School from 4th to 8th grade. She graduated from the newly formed Mt. Ararat School in 1976. After high school, she attended St. Joseph’s College in Standish, Maine, graduating in 1980 with a bachelor of science in nursing. As a nurse, Sally worked as an ER nurse at A.R. Gould Memorial Hospital in Presque Isle, Maine; as a community health nurse in York County, Maine; and as a child psychiatric nurse at Jackson Brook Institute in South Portland, Maine, and at Maine Medical Center in Portland, Maine.
In 1990, Sally received her Elementary Teacher Certificate and in 1994, she received her master of science in education from the University of Southern Maine. She taught at Harpswell Community School for 23 years as a first and second grade teacher. She loved to teach and to learn. Her commitment, integrity, and love for Harpswell children and their families is an example of a life well lived, making a positive impact that will continue for generations to come.
Sally loved music and dance. As a high school student, she was already an educator by demonstrating and teaching ballet to young students at the former Ruth Gibson School of Ballet of Brunswick. She had a beautiful voice and loved to sing all types of songs. Sally cared deeply for her family and friends, her community, and the environment. She loved being on the water, canoeing, rowing, and sailing.
Sally enjoyed the outdoors, gardening, feeding the birds, walking on trails on Orr’s Island, and camping in Northern Maine.
Sally was an avid reader, especially historical fiction. She was very clever with crafts, creating incredible baskets, beautiful crochet items, and lovely pierced lampshades, among other artistic pieces. Sally greatly admired Native American cultures for their spiritual love and respect of nature and people.
Sally was a caring wife, daughter, sister, and aunt. She leaves behind her husband, Walter Marshall Johnson; her mother, Nellie Aletha Coulter; her father, Robin B.S. Brooks and stepmother, Jeanne Brooks; her sister, Mary Elizabeth Theberge and brother-in-law, David A. Theberge — all of Orr’s Island. She is also survived by her sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Louise and Carl Overlock of Wiscasset; niece, Ashleigh Theberge and her husband, James Brittin; niece, Amanda (Emmie) Theberge and her partner, Joel Johnson; niece and her husband, Brenda and John Sawyer; niece, Melissa Fait; nephew, Richard Overlock; and grandnieces and grandnephews. She was predeceased by her brother-in-law, Reginald F. Johnson.
Sally loved dearly and was dearly loved. She will be missed.
The family is very appreciative of the wonderful care she received at Parkview Adventist Medical Center in Brunswick, Maine, and the support from Beacon Hospice.
Visiting hours will be on Thursday, Sept. 18 from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 7 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m. at Brackett Funeral Home, 29 Federal St., Brunswick, Maine.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Sally’s memory can be made to the Orr’s and Bailey Islands Fire Department, P.O. Box 177, Orr’s Island, ME 04066 or The Willing Helpers, P.O. Box 233, Bailey Island, ME 04003. Memories and condolences can be expressed at www.brackettfuneralhome.c om.
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