Obituary
Sally was born in Seattle, WA to Reed and Lillian Mills and was a little sister to Paul Mills. After a long and full life, she left us peacefully in Vancouver, WA, surrounded by the love of her family.
Sally was raised in Seattle, with a brief interlude on a ranch in Thorpe, WA. The winter was cold, the cows were hungry, and they moved back to Seattle. She graduated from Garfield High School and later from the University of Washington with a B.Sc. in Home Economics. It was while attending UW that she met James McConnell at a fraternity-sorority function. They were married in the fall of 1948 and between 1951 and 1960 added four children to their busy household.
Most of their time was spent in Bellevue, WA and later, after the children had all left home, in Tacoma, Anacortes, and Burien. Sally remained in Burien near Peggy after Jim died then moved to Sandy, OR and finally to Vancouver, WA –both near Nancy. While still in Bellevue and Tacoma, it was Jim and Sally’s dream to live in Anacortes and they subscribed to the Anacortes American for years to keep up-to-date on the events and activities of the town. They realized their dream and lived for many happy years near Skyline Marina.
Sally enjoyed golf, bowling, volkswalking and Citizens on Patrol with Jim, playing the piano, and coffee mornings and bridge nights with friends and neighbors. She was involved with school parent groups and with each of her children’s classroom and after-school activities. Weekend outings were often to the river property with a stop first at Boehm’s Candy Kitchen, fishing and campfire picnics at Lake Marcel, or long Sunday drives. Vacations were razor clam digging at Ocean Shores, relaxing at Obstruction Pass Resort on Orcas Island, and visiting close friends in West Vancouver and Pender Island, BC. Sally was legendary for the themed birthday parties she created for her children and for her beautiful smile, quick wit and sense of humor.
Sally was predeceased by her parents (Reed and Lillian Mills), brother (Paul Mills) and beloved husband (James McConnell). She is survived by her children Sandy Lipovsky, David McConnell (Jeanne), Nancy Lankford, and Peggy Brierly (Michael). She was called Gramma Sally by her grandchildren Sarah McConnell (Jeff), Lindsey Kovacevic, Crystal Creesy (Douglas), Evan Lipovsky, Brian McConnell, Hayley Olson (Shawn), Brian Harlan (Jaimi), and Hannah Bellamy (Travis).
She also is survived by her nieces Katie Mills (Rick), Megan Ace (Mark) and nephews Mike Mills (Miranda), and Glenn Coles (Lori) and her great-grandchildren Mile, Kairon, Logan, Axl, Douglas, Abe, Kate, Liza, and Paul.
Heartfelt thanks to the staff at Avamere at Cascadia Village (Sandy, OR), Brookdale Vancouver Stonebridge (Vancouver, WA), and Peace Health Hospice (Vancouver, WA) for their love and care.
Sally touched the lives of many and will be greatly missed by all who knew her. There will be a private family celebration of life at a future date. Donations can be made to the Peace Health Hospice. peacehealth.org/foundation/sw-washington or PO Box 1600, Vancouver, WA 98668.