Sally King

Sally King, 91, of Indianapolis, passed away Sunday, January 20, 2019 surrounded by her loving family. Sally was born April 25, 1927 in Indianapolis to the late Eugene G. and Elizabeth (Knapp) Rich. She attended IPS School 84 and Shortridge High School, a fact of which she was very proud. Sally earned her bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Purdue University where she was a cheerleader and member of Pi Beta Phi Sorority. She loved singing the Purdue Fight Song to any IU alumni family members. After college, she began working for Eli Lilly and Company as a research chemist. Later, Sally enrolled at Butler University where she earned her Master’s Degree in Education. She accepted a teaching position at Perry Worth Elementary School in Lebanon, IN, where she taught 1st grade for 20 years.

Her passion for learning continued even after retiring from teaching. She spent countless hours reading with her grandchildren and quizzing them on multiplication and spelling. Sally volunteered at Washington Township and IPS schools, helping struggling students learn to read and write. She was always challenging students, whether her grandchildren or strangers, to do their best.

Sally was a 60-year, dedicated member of Northwood Christian Church. She made a good group of friends at church and was very involved in the church’s women’s circle. She loved maintaining the garden on the church grounds. She also baked, cleaned, and organized many church events.

Sally had a close group of friends to whom she was very loyal. They gathered every New Years’ Eve for dinner, sometimes even staying up until midnight. She liked to have lunch, run errands, and talk on the phone with her closest companions. She was always more concerned about others than herself.

But Sally was happiest making memories with her family. She enjoyed taking summer vacations in Bear Lake, Michigan for over 40 years. She hosted her family for Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the most precious of Indianapolis holidays -- race weekend. Her family loved to tease her for constantly worrying about what they would eat at these gatherings. Depending on the day, she could either be a health nut, worrying about her family’s fruit intake; or a sweet tooth who loved her Steak n’ Shake milkshakes and had a “secret” stash of chocolates hidden in her bedroom. She adored her two great-grandchildren, always working hard to take care of them and make them giggle. Sally was fiercely independent, quick-witted, and inspirational to all who had the privilege of getting to know her.

Sally was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Neil C. King; her brother, Warren Rich, and her beloved cocker spaniel, Harvey.

Sally is survived by her children, Linda Jennette; Eileen (Carl) Potenza and Brian (Stephanie) King; her grandchildren, Steven Jennette, Emily Massey, Nicholas Jennette, Allison (Andrew) Emhardt and Rachel Potenza; her beloved great-grandchildren, Quinn Massey and Neil Emhardt, and a host of appreciative former friends, students, and colleagues.

The family will hold a private celebration of life followed by inurnment at Crown Hill Cemetery. Memorial