Sally G. Laughland

Sally was born in Baltimore, MD on May 18, 1940. The daughter of Francis Guy Gatchell and Helen Kelly Gatchell. She was the only child of her parents who spent her early years in Baltimore, MD where she attended The Institute of Notre Dame (IND) for 12 years, graduating in 1958. Sally continued her education at the College of Notre Dame of Maryland, graduating in 1962. The friendships that were formed in Sally’s early education endured throughout her life. When discussing her high school years at IND during an interview for Nancy Pelosi: A Biography she said, “The influence of the school on us speaks so well of who we are.”

Sally Gatchell met James Laughland in 1964, and soon after they married, spending the next 58 years together. They started their journey together, buying a house in Woodlawn, MD and eventually moving to Timonium, MD where they raised their children. She leaves behind her four children, Christopher, Andrew, Evelyn, and Fergus. Four grandchildren, Loren, Margaux, Maxwell and Milena who all love and miss her dearly.

Sally spent most of her 30-year career working at the University of Baltimore's (UB) Langsdale Library where she retired in 2002. She was also known for “Sally Notes”, a system that simplified the logistics of tracking books both borrowed and returned. Her notes system remained even beyond her retirement from UB. While there she befriended both colleagues and students she assisted in their research and occasionally hosted dinners at her home in Timonium for them.

Sally’s home was always open to the weary student or traveler, family friend or relative for a meal and place to rest. She will always be remembered for opening her home with hospitality for all.

The family will receive friends in the Lemmon Funeral Home of Dulaney Valley, Inc., 10 W. Padonia Road (at York Road) Timonium, Maryland 21093 on Wednesday, August 21, 2024 from 2:00-4:00PM and 6:00-8:00PM.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Francis Xavier, 13717 Cuba Rd, Hunt Valley, MD 21030 on Thursday, August 22, 2024 at 11:00AM.