Sally Ann Dietz

Sally’s identity was as a teacher. She taught math at Great Valley High School for 40 years, chairing the department for 32 years. As a teacher, she inspired generations of students, sometimes teaching children of former students. Not only that, but other teachers credited her with inspiring them to grow and achieve. Both of Sally’s parents were teachers and one imagines that this was part of her inspiration. Her Math Department teachers nominated her for Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year. She was most proud that her staff thought so much of her. Yet, there were more teaching awards than can be enumerated here.

Sports were an important part of Sally’s life. In her youth she played softball and basketball. While teaching, she coached softball and basketball for almost 20 years, including four basketball championships and two years of coach-of-the-year. When she wasn’t coaching, she sold tickets at the games. Anything to be part of that sports life.

But life wasn’t solely school. Sally was avid with crafts like counted cross-stitching and needlepoint. She made an enormous number of gifts and a 50+ piece Christmas village that was displayed in her apartment and sometimes at Maris Grove. And she loved to travel and then to make scrapbooks of all of her adventures.

Sally was preceded in death by her parents, Herbert and Thelma Dietz of Mount Lookout, West Virginia. Sally leaves behind her immediate family: Joe Dietz, Tim Brooks, Jim Dietz, Beth Dietz, Jason Dietz, and Miranda Dietz. She was loved and will be missed.

Sally also leaves behind so many friends: teachers from Great Valley, her Christmas bunch, the dinner group at Maris Grove, and so many friends and staff at Maris Grove. Their words to the family express how much they will miss her. In the end, Sally’s greatest achievement is reflected by the many people who loved and respected her.

In retirement, Sally moved to Maris Grove Senior Living facility in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania. She loved it there. Initially, it was like having a really great apartment. As she declined, one sees the great love and care that Maris Grove provided to Sally. The family so appreciates them.

There will be two memorial services for Sally. The first will be at the Chapel at Maris Grove for Maris Grove residents. This will be on Wednesday, October 2nd, at 2:00 PM.

The second memorial service will be at Alleva Funeral Home on Saturday, October 12th, at 2:00 PM. This will begin with a time of visitation and socialization, including light refreshments. A memorial service will follow at 3:00 PM. Alleva is located at 1724 E. Lancaster Avenue, Paoli, Pennsylvania, 19301.

The family will have a private interment at Philadelphia Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (www.lls.org).