Sally Lammers

Sarah (Sally) Kathleen Schooley Lammers was born on May 15, 1928 in Buffalo, NY to Omer William (Bill) and Vivian Hunsucker Schooley. Sally was an only child and moved frequently due to her father’s career in insurance; moving from Buffalo to Shaker Heights (Cleveland, OH) and then to Indianapolis. She attended School 84, Shortridge High School, Western College for Women in Miami, OH and transferred to DePauw University where she joined Kappa Alpha Theta sorority; graduating in 1950. Not long after graduation, she married the love of her life, Martin Lammers, on August 12, 1950 at Tabernacle Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis. Eventually, Sally and Martin made their home in the Meridian Kessler neighborhood. Martin predeceased her in 2003. Sally maintained life-long friendships; many dating back to her high school years. Sally and Martin opened their home to many family, friends and neighbors including their annual Christmas Eve party; which became a regular event on holiday calendars. They also launched an annual tradition hosting the neighborhood around the backyard firepit for a Halloween hotdog roast ahead of trick-or-treating. Sally deeply loved her family and hosted each of her grandchildren for a special birthday lunch with ‘grandma and grandpa’ where each child was given a dollar for every year they were celebrating. She was a ‘ruthless’ card player and regularly bested her grandchildren at Gin Rummy. Her Molasses Crinkle cookies were a favorite treat that had to be hidden to avoid having them disappear on the same day they were baked. Sally loved the outdoors and routinely walked a mile per day in her neighborhood and often rode her bicycle to the Atlas grocery versus driving her bright yellow VW beetle. She was a voracious reader and made many visits to the local library. She was an enthusiastic supporter of many causes and willing to help others at a moment’s notice. Sally was an active volunteer, serving as: President of the Riley Home Auxiliary (James Whitcomb Riley Home), Sustaining Member of the Children’s Bureau Auxiliary of Indianapolis, and Sunday School teacher for over 15 years. She was also a long-time member of East 91st Street Christian Church and more recently attended Tabernacle Presbyterian Church. She is survived by her (3) sons Martin (Sue), Larry (Beth), and Gary (Tricia); (8) grandchildren: Stephanie, Martin IV, Charlotte (Matt) Kraushar, Elle (Ryan) Stitt, Roderick (Lindsay), Lell, Ruth, and Mary Grace; and (2) great-grandchildren: Cecilia (Cece) Stitt and Theodore (Teddy). Services will be held on Monday August 12th at the Crown Hill Cemetery Gothic Chapel. Visitation is from Noon – 2pm and the Celebration of Sally’s Life will begin at 2pm. A graveside service will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to the Riley Children’s Foundation on behalf of the James Whitcomb Riley Home or The Salvation Army.