Sally Rae Beske

Sally Rae Beske (née Wirick), 65, of Westerville, Ohio passed away peacefully on August 28, 2023 surrounded by family. Though cancer claimed her body, her legacy lives on through all those she inspired, the beautiful notes she played, her published works, and the memories of all who were lucky to know her. For the past 27 years, Sally has been the beloved Director of Youth Choirs, Piano Accompanist and Associate Organist at First Community Church in Columbus, Ohio. Sally was also an Adjunct Professor at Trinity Lutheran Seminary, an author of several published children’s musicals, and a leader in the Columbus Chapter of the American Guild of Organists (AGO). Sally will be remembered most for her loving manner with the church’s children and her radiant smile every Sunday morning as she played for worship services. Her motto of “Making Loving Choices” will be remembered by all the children she has inspired over her tenure as Director of Youth Choirs.

Sally is preceded in death by her parents, Ray and Carol Wirick of Sunbury Ohio. She is survived by her husband of 41 years Bryan Beske, her son Colin Beske and his wife Kathleen Rowland, her two grandchildren Juliet Rowland-Beske and Theodore Rowland-Beske, her daughter Sarah Beske and her husband Timothy Zepelak, her brother Kevin Wirick and his wife Sheila Wirick along with their two sons Stewart and Spencer Wirick, her brother Dale Wirick and his wife Nancy Wirick along with their daughter Mindy Pyle and her husband Justin Pyle and their two daughters Emma and Claire Pyle, and her sister Carrie Wirick and her husband Thomas A. Smith along with their two children Tyler Smith and his wife Megan Smith and Celeste Smith.

The family will receive guests on Friday, September 15th between 3-5pm and 6-8pm in the Narthex of First Community Church, 3777 Dublin Road, Columbus, Ohio. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, September 16th at 10:00am in the main sanctuary at the same location with a reception to follow from 11am-1pm in Grace Hall. Both the Calling Hours and Memorial Service are “Family Friendly” with grief support available for youth in attendance. A private inurnment with the family will precede the Memorial Service at the First Community Columbarium. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to either The First Community Foundation, Friends of Music Fund or The Ohio Health Foundation, Hospice Fund.

Arrangements by Schoedinger Northwest.