Sancha Duniway Alley

Sancha Duniway Alley of Salem, Oregon, passed away on March 8, 2026, after several years living with Alzheimer’s. She was born on September 22, 1949, to David Duniway and Prines Conner. She spent much of her early life in Salem before moving to Memphis at the age of 15, where she graduated from Immaculate Conception High School. She later attended several universities, ultimately earning a degree in art from UC Davis.

Sancha was creative, artistic, kind, and deeply caring, but above all, she was a people person. She had a gift for connection and made everyone feel welcome. On the first street where she raised her family, home to 14 boys, she became the unofficial “street mom,” always there with an open door, a listening ear, and steady care for anyone who needed it.

If Sancha said she was running into Roth’s for “just five minutes,” those who knew her, knew better. A quick errand inevitably turned into an hour, as she ran into friends, made new ones, or caught up with her favorite cashiers. She never missed a chance to connect, and no conversation was ever too small to matter.

Sancha met her husband, Terry, at a tavern when he asked her if she wanted to go spearing for bullfrogs, a line she somehow didn’t hold against him. They married in 1974 and built a life together in Salem, where they raised their two sons, Joel and Isaac. Over the years, Sancha held a variety of jobs, eventually retiring from the Board of Clinical Social Workers.

She is survived by her husband, Terry; her sons, Joel and Isaac; her daughters-in-law, Vilasinee and Sanae; her granddaughters, Adalyn, Amina, Emmeline, and Caitlin; and her sisters, Malissa and Jacky.

Sancha will be remembered for her warmth, her creativity, and her natural ability to connect with people. She had a way of making others feel comfortable and welcome, and she will be deeply missed by everyone who knew her.

A celebration of life will be held this summer.