Sally Pallante 1940-2025

Born Sept. 2, 1940, in Youngstown, Sally, the daughter of Anthony J. and

Betty Alcook Murphy, grew up in a close-knit, loving family and carried that same warmth and generosity throughout her life. With a kind heart and an unwavering optimism, she had a way of making everyone feel deeply cared for and very special.

If you knew Sally, you knew her life was guided by four great loves: God, Family, Country / Heritage and Friends.

Love of God was at the core of everything she did. She poured her heart into her faith, starting by teaching catechism at St. Luke’s as a young wife. Over the years, she took on leadership roles, serving as president of the Infant Jesus of Prague Guild and Altar and Rosary Society, and later, helping guide the St. Michael Parish Council. She also served as a lector and Eucharistic minister at St. Christine’s and St. William’s in Naples, Florida, where she spent more than 30 winters walking the beach at Pelican Bay, golfing with friends and cherishing visits from her grandkids.

Sally and Martin D. Pallante were married on Aug. 29, 1959, and together built a life filled with love, joy and service. She was the heart of their family and the inspiration that created and nurtured the familial bonds that bind it together to this day. No matter what the occasion, be it a school event, an Irish dance competition, a ballgame or just a tough day, Sally was there with open arms, words of encouragement and always a batch of her legendary chocolate chip cookies. A great homemaker, her “Irish” spaghetti sauce and meatballs recipe became a family treasure, made with as much love as she poured into every aspect of her life.

Her deep pride in her Irish heritage led her to become a driving force in preserving and celebrating Irish culture in the Mahoning Valley. She co-founded the Gathering of the Clans, an annual Irish festival, and the Mahoning Valley Ulster Project, a cross-cultural peace initiative that brought Northern Irish teens to the U.S. to foster peace and understanding. Sally’s passion for preserving Irish history led her to be the lead author of “The Irish in Youngstown and the Greater Mahoning Valley,” ensuring that future generations would know the rich legacy of Irish Americans in the region. She was honored as the 1988 Woman of the Year by the YWCA in recognition of her dedication and leadership, both locally and in Northern Ireland, where she worked tirelessly to end sectarian violence. A longtime member of The Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, Joseph T. Nalley Sr. Mahoning County Division 6, she served as the coordinator of the juniors division and was named the AOH’s Irish Woman of the Year in 1999.

Her love for America was just as strong. She believed deeply in the values that made this country great. After the events of 9/11, Sally was instrumental in planning a Nov. 11 memorial Mass at St. Columba Cathedral for the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. In recognition of this outreach to the fallen, she was named 2002 Citizen of the Year by the United Veterans Council.

Sally graduated from Ursuline High School in 1958 and furthered her education at Youngstown College (YSU) and later at Oakland University, when her family lived in Michigan in the early 1970s. A proud and devoted supporter of Ursuline, where she is a charter member of the school’s Wall of Fame, she was an active member of the quarterly board and played a key role in organizing the school’s Annual Night of Irish Stars.

Always quick to make friends, Sally loved playing bridge with good friends and spending summer Tuesdays on the golf course with the Ladies League at Tippecanoe C.C., where she scored two holes-in-one! A woman of boundless energy, Sally saw sleep as a “necessary evil” and television of little interest. So, after her children finished high school, she spent 11 years as a successful realtor with Burgan Real Estate.

She had a strong belief in uplifting others and was quick to remind those around her, “If you can’t say something good about a person, say nothing at all.”

Sally’s life was a testament to love, faith and the power of kindness. Believing that every life is sacred, she was an active supporter of National Right to Life, 40 Days for Life and Men and Women United for Life. Her spirit will live on in the hearts of all whose lives she touched.

Sally is survived by her devoted husband of 65 years, Martin; and their children, John (Francine) of Canfield, Dr. Martin (Dr. Elizabeth) of North Muskegon, Michigan, Maureen Kepley (Locke) of Canfield and William of Lantana, Texas; along with her daughter-in-law, Judy Pallante of Canfield.

Her cherished grandchildren, Danielle Hamed (Jeremy), Sean Pallante, Elizabeth Pallante (fiance, Patrick Hogan), Kathleen Kleinert (Rob), Stephen Pallante (partner, Morgan Lindback), Anthony Kepley (fiance, Lyndsey McBee), Lauren Ehrenberg (Eric), Rachel Kepley, Jack Pallante and Luke Pallante, were the light of her life.

She also leaves behind her brother, Michael Murphy (Maureen) of Canfield; as well as many nieces, nephews and dear friends who will forever cherish her memory.

Calling hours will be 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Boardman-Canfield Chapel, 3701 Starrs Centre Drive, Canfield, OH 44406.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Thursday, April 10, 2025, by Fr. Stephen Zeigler, at St. Christine Church, 3165 S. Schenley Ave., Youngstown, OH 44511, where calling hours will be held 10 to 10:45 a.m.

Interment will follow in Resurrection Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Sally’s memory to The Martin and Sally Murphy Pallante Endowed Scholarship at Ursuline High School, 750 Wick Ave., Youngstown, OH 44501; or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Parkway, Memphis, TN 38105.

Sally’s family would like to thank Trish Endicott, her caregiver, and Stephanie Arnold, her nurse, for their exceptional, loving and compassionate care. They are truly angels without wings; may God keep them in His loving care, now and forever.

(special notice)