Sarah Ballard

Sarah “Sally” Dympna Ballard, 82, died at 1:27 p.m. on September 23, 2014. She passed peacefully, surrounded by her family, at home in Conover, NC. She was born on August 20, 1932 to Martin and Margaret Murray in Kilnadeema, Loughrea, Co. Galway, Ireland. She married Donald Ballard on June 2, 1956 in Pittsfield, MA.

Also surviving, in addition to her husband Donald, are her son, Robert Ballard of Virginia Beach, VA; two daughters, Dympna Madigan of Edenton and Donna Buss of Denver; six grandchildren, Tyler and Colin Ballard of Virginia Beach, Christina Ollis of Edenton, Michelle and John Madigan of Edenton, and Connor Buss of Denver; two great-grandchildren, Emma and Caileigh Ollis of Edenton; one sister, Bina Armstrong of Lenox, MA; one brother, Joseph Murray of Co. Galway, Ireland; and numerous nephews and nieces residing in the United States, Ireland, Great Britain, Australia, and New Zealand.

Sally’s sisters Mary Kennedy and Margaret McTaggart, her brother John Murray, and her nieces Sandra Armstrong, Peggy Tourloukis and Mary Walsh preceded her in death.

Sally was a long time resident of Conover, where she lived since moving here from Massachusetts. She came to the United States at the age of 17 and worked for various employers before meeting her future husband and choosing to become a full-time homemaker. Her church was her rock and she was a charter member of St. Joseph parish in Newton. Sally loved to travel, read, and play cards but was happiest when she was with her beloved family.

The family will receive friends from 12:45 to 1:15 p.m. on Tuesday, September 30, 2014 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Newton. The funeral mass will follow at 1:30 p.m. with Father Carmen Malacari officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Catholic Charities USA, PO Box 17066, Baltimore, MD 21297-1066 or St. Joseph Catholic Church, 720 West 13th Street, Newton, NC 28658 or to Community Home Care & Hospice of Statesville, 225 Davie Ave, Statesville, NC 28677.