Sally Irene Webster

Sally Irene Webster (nee Stratton), born March 15, 1937 in Wausau, Wisconsin passed away on March 26, 2021 in Washington, D.C at the age of 84. Sally was the daughter of Oliver Richard Stratton and Mary Louise Stratton of Waupaca, Wisconsin. She is survived by her loving husband R. Kenly Webster, her son Timothy Webster and his wife Valerie Mann of Arlington, Virginia, her daughter Kimberly ”Kippy” Webster and her husband David Cella of Evanston, Illinois, her brother John Stratton, her sister-in-law Annette Stratton, her adoring grandchildren Alexandra Webster, Katherine Webster, Maia Cella, Kira Cella, and Aiden Cella, her beloved nieces and nephew, and many other family members and truly dear friends.

Sally grew up in Waupaca, Wisconsin and graduated from Waupaca High School in 1955. She attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she was a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority and received a bachelor of science degree in occupational therapy in 1959. On April 16, 1960 she married R. Kenly Webster of Englewood, New Jersey and moved to New York City, where she was head of the occupational therapy department at St. Vincent’s Hospital. The two had met by chance on a street corner during spring break in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She moved to Washington, D.C. in 1965 where she worked at St. Elizabeth’s Psychiatric Hospital and then shifted careers to become an owner of the Georgetown clothing shop Second Hand Rose, which she co-managed for over 20 years. She also devoted countless hours to fundraising for several charitable organizations, including the Corcoran Museum of Art and the Washington Home.

Throughout her life she identified strongly with three places that were always home to her, even if not her residence. Her childhood home of Waupaca, Wisconsin, with its emerald Chain-of-Lakes; Washington, D.C., home for most of her adult life, and its vast circle of friends, family, and work; and Vero Beach, Florida, with its old-world charm.

While her story has been written, the ink will never dry. Her exquisite beauty, unending grace, wry wit, sharp intellect, and unwavering kindness will live on in the many she loved and touched and will be passed on for generations to come. She had a gentle, tender disposition and was known for her warmth, graciousness, empathy, and generosity. Known by the nickname “Serafina” to many, especially immediate family, she was a devoted wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, and friend and had a unique way of making others feel special. She was an independent spirit and an inspiration to many. She loved her family, friendships, confections of any kind, reading, cribbage, golf, all things Italian, and travel by any means other than air. Throughout her life she dreamed of international adventures and aspired to tour the world, forever embracing a favorite Susan Sontag quote: “I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list.” She loved many, and was loved by many more.

A memorial service will be held on May 29th at 11:00am and will be streamed live via the internet from Joseph Gawler’s Sons in Washington, D.C. Guests may join the service by clicking "Join LiveStream" below.

In lieu of flowers, we welcome donations to the following organization in Sally’s name: Bread for the City (https://breadforthecity.org/ or 1525 7th Street NW, Washington, DC, 20001), Greater Chicago Food Depository (https://www.chicagosfoodbank.org/ or 4100 W. Ann Lurie Place, Chicago, IL 60632) or a charity of your choice.