Sally E. Stephenson

Sally Elaine Stephenson (Strole) was born January 22, 1940 in Fort Wayne, Indiana to Howard H. and Norma E. Strole. Sally grew up in New Haven, Indiana and graduated from New Haven High School in 1958. She began college at Albion College in Albion, Michigan and transferred to Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana her sophomore year. Sally graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in English in 1962 and a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from Shenandoah University.

Sally met the love of her life, Gorham “Steve” Brady Stephenson in June 1959 at the McDonald’s in New Haven, Indiana. It was love at first sight. After months of long distance dating, Steve transferred to Indiana University from North Carolina State University. Steve and Sally were married on August 26, 1961 and lived in married student housing at Indiana University.

Sally began her teaching career in Boston, MA as a high school English teacher the fall of 1962. Steve’s first assignment in the Air Force was at Hanscom Air Force Base where they both established life-long friendships with many Air Force families. Sally taught high school English until her children, Susan and John, were born. Steve’s Air Force career took the family to Tokyo, Japan, Dayton, Ohio (twice), and Montgomery, Alabama over the next 10 years. While stationed at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Sally obtained certification in Special Education from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. Upon arrival to Fairfax County, Virginia in 1977, Sally resumed her teaching career. She served Fairfax County Public Schools as an elementary, special education resource teacher. Sally loved her career supporting students who had disabilities and needed support accessing the general education classroom. She worked in several elementary schools over the course of 24 years and retired in June 2001.

Sally and Steve relocated to Colorado Springs, CO in June 2001. Sally wanted to provide daily childcare to firstborn grandchild, Nicholas. Sally and Steve were committed to helping raise their grandsons Nicholas and Jack and did so up until Steve’s passing in April 2020 and Sally’s on February 26, 2021. Sally adored her grandsons Nicholas and Jack and was like a second mother to them both. She loved watching movies, reading books, and traveling with her grandsons. Sally’s love for both boys will have a lasting impact.

Sally cherished her friendships and was an active member of the Church at Woodmoor in Monument and the Tri Lakes Women’s Club. She was a member of many book clubs, loved singing in the church choir and with the Knotty Pines, and spending time with friends and family. Sally had a great sense of humor and an infectious laugh that will be missed.

Sally is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Susan Stephenson Field and Richard Andrew Field III of Colorado Springs, CO, son John Stephenson of Colorado Springs, CO, her grandsons Nicholas and Jack Field of Colorado Springs, CO, her brother Stephen Strole of Fort Lauderdale, Florida and her cousin Judy Korte of Fort Wayne, Indiana.

A celebration of life service will be held April 22, 2021 at 11:00 at The Church at Woodmoor in Monument. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Steve & Sally Stephenson Memorial Fund at The Church at Woodmoor.