Sally E. Herring

Sally Sue Engelhard Herring passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of April 29, 2019. Sally lived nearly her whole life in Otego, NY. She is predeceased by her mother, Mae H. Engelhard (Otego); father, Wallace Engelhard (Ft. Lauderdale, FL), and husband of 67 years, Charles (Charlie) W. Herring, (Otego). She was 90 years old. She is survived by her daughter, Sheri (Otego); son, Scott (Nancy Bulken) (Batavia, NY); five grandchildren, Luke, Mackensey and Colleen O'Hara (Otego), Chris Herring (Bree) LeRoy, NY and Lindsey Herring (Stafford, NY); and four great-grandchildren, Chase, Mathew, Charlie and Emily Mae. Born in Far Rockaway, NY on June 20, 1928, Sally had strong ties to Otego. Her mother was born in Otego. Even though growing up on Long Island, Sally spent most of her summer vacations in Otego with her mother, other family members and friends. She graduated from Lawrence Long Island High School in 1946. She attended Syracuse University and graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Interior Design) degree in 1950. She married Charlie August 19, 1950, moved to Otego and lived there the remainder of her life. Sally was an artist widely-known in the area for her watercolor scenes, but also worked in charcoal, pen and ink and loved working with clay. She was active in many local art groups. She taught elementary school art in Laurens and Sidney and retired from the Unatego Central School district in 1983. She loved teaching children the beauty of art. For many years she led weekend classes for children at the Wilber Mansion in Oneonta. An active member of the Upper Catskill Community Council of the Arts, she participated in and organized annual art exhibitions on their behalf. Sally loved animals and was always surrounded by her Collie dogs, cats and most notably her horses. She struggled in her final years as she lost her eyesight due to macular degeneration, retinal occlusion and glaucoma. Being totally blind in the last two years she needed round the clock assistance. Her family is most grateful for the caring of her needs and warm companionship given by Connie Dean, Barbara Cole, Lois Knapp, Cindy Strauss, Kim Thompson and Christin Chicorell as well as the caring staff at Woodside Hall, a wonderful elder care and residence home in Cooperstown. Additionally, the family expresses their heartfelt gratitude to Catskill Area Hospice for their superior comfort care during her final days, with very special appreciation to Jenny Grimes, RN. Sally was a longtime member and supporter of the Otego United Methodist Church, strong supporter of the Susquehanna Valley SPCA, Cooperstown, Otego Historical Society and Guiding Eyes for the Blind. There will be a memorial service at the Otego United Methodist Church on Sunday May, 26th at 2 in the afternoon, with the Rev. Fred C. Albrecht presiding. All are welcome.