Sally J. VanBuskirk

Sally J. VanBuskirk left this world to claim her special place in Heaven on June 25 in Fort Myers Florida. Sally was born May 29, 1943 in Burlington, Vermont. She was the daughter of Martin Carty and Lillian Payea Carty who have preceded her in death.

Sally and her husband Richard owned and operated VanBuskirk Opticians for over 30 years in Naples, Florida. Her greatest satisfaction came from her community service and volunteer work. In her early years in Naples she was involved in the Hospital Service League, Zonta Club, and served on the Board of Directors of Bosom Buddies Breast Cancer Support.

She was instrumental in helping to establish the local chapter of the Foundation Fighting Blindness to raise money for retinal disease research. She chaired their VisionWalk and assisted in many other events raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for research. Twenty years ago she and Richard established a Vision Clinic in Kingston, Jamaica and made 25 trips there. They recruited volunteers and other professionals to participate in these trips. They would serve between 200 to 350 children and adults per trip. Sally’s greatest God-given gift was her love of people and her desire to serve their needs whether in business or volunteering.

Sally is survived by her husband, Richard, and two sons, Jeffrey (Lori) of Atlanta and Todd of Naples. Also surviving are three grandchildren, Christopher, Sarah, and Kyle and sisters, Patricia Nobes and Mary Shambaugh and one brother, William Carty. Also a large extended family including many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Foundation Fighting Blindness at www.fightblindness.org/inmemorysvanbuskirk or to Jamaica Outreach Program at P.O. Box 110581, Naples, Florida 34108-1929.

A Memorial Mass will be held on Friday July 6 at 10:00 AM at St. John XXIII Catholic Church in Ft. Myers. A reception will follow at the Osprey Room of the Pelican Preserve Golf Club.