Sally Amory

Sally Amory, 92, of South Freeport, Maine, died peacefully in her home on April 20, 2018, surrounded by her family, her plants and her meticulously organized chaos of photographs, books, cards and knick knacks; each a testament to her full life.

The daughter of Thomas Thacher and Vera (Morgan) Thacher, Sally was born June 26, 1925 in Boston, Massachusetts. She grew up on Beacon Hill with her sisters, Lee and Nancy, and her brother Tim. As a child her summers were split between Yarmouth, Massachusetts with her Grandfather and The Thousand Islands on the St Lawrence River with her parents; at each place surrounded by extended family.

On October 6, 1947, after completing her training in Nursing at Mass General Hospital in Boston, Sally married John Austin Amory, her friend and husband until his death in the summer of 2013. Prior to moving to South Freeport, Maine in the Fall of 1962 Sally and John lived in Spartanburg, South Carolina, Southboro, Massachusetts, and Bristol, Rhode Island.

Sally’s personal life revolved around her physicality, her fierce competitiveness and, most strikingly, her deep care for, and curiosity toward, others. She found great pleasure in helping people; both known and unknown. Church “junk” sales, testing eyes and ears in the Freeport public schools, consistent volunteer at Freeport Community Services and the annual Partners In Health tag sale in Camden. A constant visitor to friends, neighbors and passersby in need, Sally seemed always to be ready with the right gift at the right time. Such preparation took effort, and it required frequent searching. Antique stores, book shops, her beloved Clothes Tree; Sally loved the hunt and to offer what she had gathered.

Once her three children were out of the house her curiosity extended

toward travel. China, Vietnam, New Zealand. The canals of Europe. Rounding Cape Horn. Throughout her travels Sally enjoyed becoming lost on long morning walks where she confidently relied on the kindness of locals to return her to her husband, her friends and their hotel via motorcycle.

Her energy as a younger woman was legendary. Before ski lifts existed Sally would hike to the top of Wildcat Mountain in the morning, ski down, then after lunch ski the Fire Trail on Mount Washington. After moving to Maine, her chief outlets were tennis and running which she enjoyed with her characteristic tenacity. Late in life she discovered Yoga and Pilates. She found them both a bit tame.

In addition to her vast human community, Sally loved all animals and plants; from Elephants to Lichen, from fern to Octopus. Dogs loved her and she loved them. Her relationship with her resident garter snake, Charlie, though strained, was civil and respectful.

Sally is survived by her brother, Tim Thacher of Hanover, NH., her three sons and their spouses; John Austin Amory of Clinton, MA., Tom and Mary Amory of Camden, ME., Pokey Amory and Laura Mazikowski of Falmouth, ME., her four grandchildren; Alice Amory of Lincolnville, ME., Lucy Amory and Robbie Fulton of Yarmouth, ME., Rachel Amory and Simon Goldman of Brooklyn, NY. and Eliza Amory of NYC, NY., her three great grandchildren; Ava, Nellie and Olin of Yarmouth, ME., her loyal dog of twelve years, Jenny, and, finally, all of the various mice, squirrels and creatures who called her house their home.

Sally’s memorial service will be held Thursday, May 3rd, at 10:30am at the South Freeport Congregational Church. A reception will follow immediately at the same location.