Sally Senesy Vandewater

Sally Senesy Vandewater came into this world as Sally Jane Senesy on April 17, 1952, born to her proud and loving parents Ruth and John Senesy, of Bound Brook, NJ. On July 21, 2022, after months battling health issues, Sally passed gracefully beyond this troubled world. Through her final days, she was surrounded by her loving daughters, Kelly Chance, of Norman, OK, and Stacey Clowes, of Round Rock, TX, as well as her husband, Bob Vandewater, of Norman.

She met Bob in 1969 at the start of her senior year at Bound Brook High School. He swears that he fell in love with her the first time he met her. They were married August 17, 1974, at The Bound Brook Presbyterian Church, a couple months after Sally graduated with a bachelor of science degree in nursing from the University of Bridgeport, at Bridgeport, Connecticut.

Her nursing career spanned more than 35 years, including work at St. Peter's Medical Center, New Brunswick, NJ, and, after moving to Oklahoma with Bob in 1977, at University Hospital in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City/County Health Department, and finally at a doctor's office in Norman. Along the way, she gained many close friends from the nursing and health care community as well as valued experiences from medical mission trips to remote villages in Bolivia and Guatemala.

In Norman, Sally and Bob have been long-time members of St. Stephen's United Methodist Church. There over the years Sally served in various capacities, including as a member of both the church's vocal choir and handbell choir. In 2010, Sally was part of a multi-state vocal choir, including several members from St. Stephen's, who performed before a packed Sunday evening audience at Carnegie Hall in New York City, where they received a standing ovation.

She was an avid reader, seeming to want to absorb as many books as she could. To say she loved gardening does not begin to address her passion for plants and flowers, as evidenced by her extensive gardens. Above all, she was an incredibly loving and supportive wife, mother and grandmother.

Sally is survived by her husband, Bob; daughter Kelly and two granddaughters -- Lyla and Aria -- by Kelly and husband Armand, all of Norman; daughter Stacey and two grandsons -- Mason and Elijah -- by Stacey and her husband Chris, all of Round Rock, TX; plus Sally's sister, Susan Gruel and her husband Fred, of Ocean Grove, NJ; as well as nieces and nephews in New Jersey, California and Massachusetts.

Sally was and forever will be the love of Bob's life. Her generosity, kindness, compassion and selflessness were an inspiration to all of those who truly knew her. To say that she will be missed is a huge understatement.

In lieu of flowers, Sally's family would suggest that contributions may be made to either the American Cancer Society, the gastroenterology department at the University of Oklahoma Stephenson Cancer Center, or the nursing bachelor's education program at the University of Bridgeport. There is a donate or giving tab on the internet website for each of those entities if anyone wishes to make an online donation to honor Sally.