Sally Morton Whitman

Sally Stollmaier Whitman (nee Sally Morton Stollmaier), passed away in the loving embrace of her devoted and beloved daughters Anne Elizabeth Whitman and Kimberly Whitman McGovern, both of Summit, NJ, and was surrounded by the love and prayers of her adored son-in-law Patrick McGovern and cherished grandchildren William, Anne Grace, Charles, Katherine, and Christian. She will be immensely missed by her brother Thomas Stollmaier of Columbia, SC, and numerous nieces and nephews. Sally was preceded in death by her husband and soulmate, Bill. It is their reunion in our Lord’s Heavenly Kingdom that makes her passing a little easier on the hearts of all those who loved her.

Sally grew up in Terrace Park, OH. She graduated from Miami University in the class of 1968, and it was there that she met and fell in love with her husband and soulmate, Bill. They were married that June of 1968 after her graduation and became the dynamic duo in love, life, family, adventures, travels, and more. Sally was a second-grade teacher in the Chicago area before becoming a mother, and although she officially left the classroom then, she remained a teacher through volunteer work throughout her life. Sally and Bill moved from Chicago to the Cleveland area for a short stint, where their first daughter was born, along with her love for the show All My Children, before moving to Massachusetts in 1972 for Bill’s work and settling in Wellesley. It is here they expanded their family and made a life for more than 40 years between Wellesley and East Dennis.

Sally would always say she was happiest when she was surrounded by family. Sally found tremendous joy and pride in being a mother and wife and gave everything she had to her family. The title of the soap opera All My Children was a foreshadowing of her life as everything she did was with her children and future grands in mind. She taught her daughters the power of love, loyalty, and the true value of an education. She was adamant her girls would be prepared to succeed and thrive in any role they chose to pursue in life. Through her girls’ academic years, she was always there to help proof read a paper, quiz before a big test, or explain a math problem. She also played an integral role in her daughter’s sports career, especially as a swimming parent; early morning swim practices, breakfasts hot and ready to eat in the car, after school rides, and tons of travel around New England and beyond. Her love, devotion, and at times taskmastering ways were ultimately her greatest gifts. To witness the love and devotion of Sally’s daughters and grandchildren is the definitive seal of approval.

As much as Sally loved the role of mother, she truly hit her crowning glory as a grandmother. Sally was renamed “Mums” by her first born grandchild, Will. This would later evolve into “Mumsy” during the year she upended her life and moved into Kim and Patrick’s home to help raise her grands while Kim battled cancer. Mumsy was adored by her grandchildren and each of them formed a special relationship. They knew their Mumsy was always there for them, and they also knew where to go for a “yes” when mom said “no.” She was always the loudest and proudest cheerleader at every baseball, soccer, lacrosse, and basketball game. Mumsy would make friends with the other fans around her and enjoyed sharing stories of when she was a roving forward and was only one of two players who could travel the entire court.

Woven into Mumsy’s identity was her love of traditions, whether they be ones she handed down from her childhood or ones she started. Many of her traditions revolved around Christmas, the decorating, gift giving, and the special creations she made from the heart. Her nutcracker and Christmas Caroler collections were extensive and would be found throughout her home. Unique handcrafted Santas from Maine were also sprinkled about each with a story to tell. There was always a fat Christmas tree filled with ornaments dating back to her childhood and each year the collection grew and evolved to include “priceless” bobbles made by her children and then grandchildren, ornaments from her world travels with Bill, and more. Nothing in her home was just there because it looked good. Everything had a story and if you had the time, she would light up sharing the memory it held. Sally’s love was also on display with the stockings she made for her daughters and then later five ornate stockings she needlepointed for each of her grands. Sally was also a masterful card giver. Sally loved nothing more than a card filled with a personal note. She didn’t care so much for the preprinted message, that was fine, but every card she gave was filled with a personal note (often more like an epistle) that had been drafted from the heart. She usually did a rough draft before the final edition, beautifully handwritten. All of these gifts were always accompanied by a big hug. She loved hugs. To give and especially receive. All she ever wanted was a card and a hug. The cards are treasures and many of us have shoeboxes full to return to when we need a refresher of advice, confidence, a lesson, and her deep love. The hugs will be desperately missed.

Also in the traditions and creations category were Mumsy’s photographs. We will never know if her obsession with taking family photos was always there or started when Bill worked for a time for Polaroid. Everyone ALWAYS knew no matter what was happening, pictures had to be taken. The invention of digital photography and the endless ability to take thousands of photos sent Sally on a family photos obsession for the rest of her life. Nothing was off limits. Yes, we complained, grandchildren complained, but in the end we knew it brought her joy and the creation of photo books, annual calendars filled with the milestones (epic and everyday) from the year, picture mugs, mouse pads, and more. These photos are her gift to us and have brought much laughter and tears as we process our grief.

To know Sally was to also embrace that she was extremely stubborn and equally as competitive. If Sally didn’t want to do something, it wasn’t happening. Plain and simple. Hours in family debates could have been saved if this rule was acknowledged more often, but stubbornness is a strong family trait, and debating is just another form of sport. There was no such thing as a casual game of anything if Sally was involved. She was an avid tennis player, paddle player, and golfer throughout her life, but her true competitive essence really came out the sillier the circumstances. A game of mini golf, a Christmas family paddle round robin, chess matches, beach bocce on Cape Cod, or croquet. If Sally hit your ball during the family croquet match, you were guaranteed your ball would be sent flying in the opposite direction of your next wicket. Grandchildren had to earn their wins, no such thing as taking it easy.

Finally, one cannot reminisce about Sally without discussing her intrinsic love for Cape Cod. She loved the smell of the ocean, the sand between her toes, riding her boat with the wind in her hair, and fishing with her grandchildren telling stories of her childhood on the same waters and of how she was nicknamed “Sharky.” Sally loved her hydrangea bushes, too numerous to count in the yard; family dinners around the long white dining table; lobster races in the garage; andsoaking in Sea Street sunsets painted by God, sitting with her daughters, a glass of wine in hand. And one could be guaranteed to hear the words “outside showers only!” on the regular.

For the last few years Sally lived with her daughters in Summit and was surrounded by love and support. Sally was ultimately felled by complications from a blood disorder she bravely fought for almost 30 years. This is not how we will remember her.

To honor our Mumsy, in lieu of flowers and donations, we ask that each person pick one of her favorite things and act on it. Write a heartfelt handwritten card to a loved one. Make something with the photographs just sitting on your phone. Start a new family tradition or breathe life back into one gone idle. Give hugs, real bear hugs.

Family and friends are invited to gather for a funeral service at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 3055 Main St., Barnstable, MA on Saturday, November 7, 2026 at 10am, followed immediately by burial at Oak Ridge Cemetery, South Dennis, MA. Following the burial there will be a reception at Marshside Restaurant in East Dennis.