Obituary of Sally M. Fairchild

Having always felt atypical, I've elected to write my own obit. I decided than in as much as I had to pay for this notice, it should include what was important to me. From the bumps in the road to the humble triumphs, my life was a celebration. I had the good fortune to be born March 7, 1925 in Green Bay, WI to Dr. M.E. and Kathryn McMillin. A few years later, I was blessed with a sister Mary. My fondest memory of our family is my Dad reading his paper and looking over it to see what on earth my Mom, Mary, and I were laughing about. At this writing, I'm not certain when the Lord wants me home, but am sure my loving family, of whom I have put "T" in charge, will provide that information on the date of my death ( January 30, 2011) or you won't be reading this. As a child, athletics, friends, family, education, and laughter were paramount to me and it has been ever thus. Though I was never fond of spectator sports as my abilities diminished, I loved watching my children and Grands, especially play soccer. My initial love of friends came from the thought that my family was stuck with me and my friends chose me. To compensate for a distraught friend who had just discovered she had been adopted and was suicidal, I forged a note from an adoption agency noting that I was adopted and hid it in the family desk. (I was about 8 at the time). As I review significant changes in my life, the best was marrying Arnold Fairchild, father of three, who preceded me in death in 1972. Pat (Mrs. John Bunda), Dan (Toni), and John (Annyd), were instantly the loves of my life and my family. Three years later our daughter, Mary Chris, was born to complete us. What a family, what a life! Arnie returned to his love of being a yacht captain and in 1958, the owner wanted to winter in Florida and our lives changed again when we wintered in Florida for 6 years before becoming full time residents. In 2007, I lost Chris to cancer. My son in law Tom Szuba was always there for me. I was determined to be grateful for the 51 years Mary Chris and I did have together and concentrate on the Grands, Katie and Matt. For the first time my health became a problem to me as I realized I wouldn't be there forever to care for these Grands. I should have known better! Tom found an incredible woman, Telethia, and "T" became his wife, my dear, dear friend and daughter, an exceptional mentor and lover of my Grands and she gave me 4 more Grands and 3 Great Grands to love. My love for them increases with every day. My gift to you is 5 children, 16 Great Grands, and 2 Great Great Grands to love for me. Living in the moment has kept me striving to make each day the best. Yesterday's accomplishments quickly become history and my rewards were always commensurate with my personal efforts. As for friends, I am grateful to all of you who have made my life so good. I'm glad, too, that I discovered one can never love too much as long as that love is shared. Make a difference. God Bless. To honor Sally's wishes, there will not be a memorial service. Donations can be made in her memory to Al-Anon or Space Coast United Soccer Club.