Mildred "Sallie" Jean Greer

Sallie Greer of Phoenix, Arizona, passed away at 8:24 pm December 20, 2022, peacefully surrounded by her loving family at the HonorHealth Deer Valley Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona. She was 86 years, 6 months, and 20 days old.

Sallie was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, May 31, 1936, at the home of her grandparents, Edward “Pop” and Mary Stewart, in the Elliott neighborhood. She and her parents, Leroy “Barney” and Catherine Mary Garner later moved to the Sheridan neighborhood where she attended Holy Innocence Grade School and graduated from Langley High School in 1954. In high school, Sallie was noted as the most comfortable on roller skates, entertaining the entire class with her jokes and bubbling laughter. She was quite popular in school, with many friends. One of Sallie’s first jobs was at Murphy’s Department Store demonstrating the Slinky toy. She wore an award-winning, one-of-a-kind prom dress made by her Aunt Moody and displayed Kaufman’s Department Store.

Sallie loved spending time with her family roller skating at the Sheridan Roller Rink in Pittsburgh. Her entire family skated and even competed in roller skating competitions. Sallie met her future husband, Robert “Bob” Greer, at Neville Island roller skating.

At age 18, she eloped with Bob to Cumberland, Maryland and married on August 27, 1955. One year later, their first child Cyndee arrived, followed by Bobby and Kevin. Shortly thereafter, Bob’s career with American Airlines took the family to Queens, New York for a short time, then on to Los Angeles, California. The next three children, Thomi, Shannon, Tim were born in Inglewood, California from 1962 – 1964. Sallie had the last three children, Colleen, Kari and Valarie in Hawthorne, California between 1969 – 1974. Bob and Sallie had 9 children in 17 years.

Sallie learned to sew from her Grandma Garner and Aunt Moody. She loved to sew and was a talented seamstress in her own, making clothes, quilts, costumes, formal wear and crafts throughout her life. She always did her best to ensure the kids had new outfits for school and special occasions.

While in California, Sallie worked as a teacher aid at Jefferson Grade School in Lennox, California and volunteered with Little League Baseball, scorekeeping and working at the snack bar. Sallie and the family moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 1979 to continue raising the family while Bob still worked in Los Angeles. She worked for S&S Bindery for a short time. Sallie was actively involved in her kids 4H clubs, the Arizona Pride Cloggers, the Southwest US Dance Championships and The Pride Warehouse Dance studio.

She was an avid sports fan and continued to root for the Steeler’s. Sallie loved watching ice skating and enjoyed any sport or activity that any of her 9 children participated: football, baseball, wrestling, softball, cheerleading, dancing and clogging.

Sallie led a remarkable life, raised a loving family, and touched so many people. Her selflessness and kindness to others brought smiles and warmth to so many of us. She never turned anyone away and always made family and friends feel welcomed and loved! She is dearly missed, but not forgotten.

Sallie is preceded in heaven by her parents, Leroy “Barney” and Catherine Garner; brother, John Leroy “Jack” Garner, husband, Robert James Greer Sr.; daughter, Cynthia Jean LaFever; son, Thomas Jay Greer; grandson, Nicholas Joseph Greer; and two great grandsons, Gunner Huntington and Grayson Lee Cooper.

She is survived by her children, Bobby Greer (Bridget) of Apple Valley, CA, Kevin Greer (Hilda) of Yuma, AZ, Shannon Donelson (Larry) of Phoenix, AZ, Tim Greer of Phoenix, AZ, Colleen Pearson (Matt) of Dublin, CA, Kari Merriott (Russ) of El Mirage, AZ, Valarie Seim of Sheboygan, WI; sister, Bernadette Black (Bud) of Conneaut Lake, PA, sister-in-law, Virginia Garner of Pittsburgh, PA; 17 grandchildren: Lewis LaFever (Jessica) of Northglenn, CO, Dayna Marks of Phoenix, AZ, Amanda Palmer (Mike) of Maricopa, AZ, Colin Greer of Apple Valley, CA, Ashley Diekman (David) of Phoenix, AZ, Gary Donelson of Phoenix, AZ, Korey Donelson of Phoenix, AZ, Britnie Donelson of Phoenix, AZ, Carston Pearson of Dublin, CA, Kerrigan Pearson of Dublin, CA, Rebekka Huntington (Seth) of Prescott Valley, AZ, Russell “RJ” Merriott (Brittaney) of Apache Junction, AZ, Daniel “DJ” Merriott of Phoenix, AZ, Malarie Whittaker of Phoenix, AZ, Danielle Seim of Sheboygan, WI and Emma Lee Seim of Sheboygan, WI; 17 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild.

Services will be held on December 29, 2022, at Our Lady of Joy Catholic Church, 36811 N Pima Rd, Carefree, AZ 85377 at 11 am. Reception following at Harold's Cave Creek Corral, 6895 E Cave Creek Rd, Cave Creek, AZ 85331.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.phoenixmemorialmortuary.com for the Greer family.