I was one of the souls Sara helped along the road of recovery. Her encouragement and inclusion inspired me to begin a life of sobriety & service in the early 90’s. When I met her she was on her way to 30 yrs of helping others (something I could not even comprehend at the time)as I come up to that time now I will never forget her and her spirit of love that started me on the way many years ago. It was wonderful to read the tribute to her and hear about her wonderful family life as well. I saw a sign one time that said. “People might forget what you said or what you did but they never forget how you made them feel”. I will never forget how Sara made me feel loved and cared for in my early journey of recovery. May God Bless Her Family!

I have known a lot of patriotic people in my life but none more patriotic than Sally. She bought me a very patriotic shirt many years ago and I still wear it on every holiday. She loved God her kids and the United States Of America. That is an example on how to live your life. That dear family is a Legacy. Bill k

Dear Grandma Danny,  I will always remember your laughter and smile. A few days ago, I spent hours going through old letters that you sent me and so I thought it would be fitting to write one to you one last time.  I'm sorry that I didn't get to tell you goodbye. When I lived in Springfield in 2018, our weekly visits became the highlight of my week. I'll always remember the special outings that you took me on for my birthdays growing up. For several years in a row, I know that I asked you to take me to the Butterfly House. As I got older, you always used to say that butterflies reminded you of me. With Spring just around the corner, every butterfly that I see will make me think of you and the good times that we shared.  The next few months will be hard without you. I can't lie and say that there won't be times that I wish you were still here. But I'll take things, as you used to say, "one day at a time." I'm comforted to know that you are now surrounded by Uncle Maury, your sister, your parents, and all of your other loved ones. Next time we meet, I look forward to singing one of our favorite songs together . . . ""Meet me in St. Louis, Louis".  Love you more than words can say,  Your "Kate the Great"

A Legacy of Motherhood, Love and Answering the Call of Christ 
To all who didn’t know my mom, I’m sorry.  You missed out on meeting one amazing lady.  Far from perfect, but close to a saint!    Give me 5 minutes of your time and let me explain what made Sally Jean Duran (her birth name) one of God’s good ones!   To those who did know my mom (some of you knew her as Sara or Sally Wells), I think the next 5 minutes will shed some light on her “why” and what made her special.   
Born in 1929, in the midst of the Great Depression, to a Polish St. Louis City policeman and a full-blooded Irish housewife.   They would’ve been deemed “poor” by today’s standards; but my mom only talked about the riches of her childhood.   Growing up she had all the attention, Faith, discipline, kindness, education and opportunities provided to her; all the core essentials necessary to succeed in life.   It was an environment of multi-generational, constant love where Faith and family were always FIRST!       
One thing my mom never quite figured out, was that crazy and difficult institution known as “marriage”.  Mom battled with three dysfunctional husbands over a 24-year period and finally decided that maybe going it alone might be the best path forward!  To her defense the three men she selected were, well, to put it nicely, not exactly role-model fathers!  The blessing of all the marital failures, was the Fab-Five children that resulted (or so she would tell us!)   You see along that path of those 24 years, she would bring 5 young lives into one house, along with a Vietnam refugee boy, and countless “pregnant” women who would live with us (part of my mom’s commitment to Right to Life), and we can’t forget the town drunk “Lyle” joining us for Thanksgiving dinner.  
Today, her actions would be seen as radical and risky.  Bringing complete strangers into our house while trying to raise five kids on her own as a single mom.  Someone please call DCFS!   I remember as a selfish, self-absorbed teenager asking my mom, “Why do we have to bring strange people into our house all the time?”  Mom calmly replied, “Because this is God’s house.  You should be grateful you don’t have to be the stranger needing someone else’s help!”   A teaching moment for her youngest brat child; “Never believe you’re somehow more important than that person you see in need.”   
Most mother’s legacies start and stop with their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  Some brave souls also can make time to have a successful business career on top of the important role of being a great mom.  Motherhood is an admirable legacy in itself and so rewarding to know that one life can impact numerous generations of a family.   Somehow, Sally survived raising the hellish Buck boys (Jim, Mike and Danny) who caused enough heartache to kill most normal human mothers! She called us the Jesse James Boys.  She never bailed us out of jail, but we did try to call her.  Thank goodness, God also gave her two remarkable, strong daughters to help her raise those three renegade rebel brothers!   
My mom’s legacy, however, is going to be much different than most other moms.   I learned early in my life that while God certainly gifted Sally with 5 kids, and eventually 10 grandchildren, and 14 great grandchildren (and she’d be mad if we didn’t count the one in the womb coming soon to Luke and Katlyn) he also gave her another distinct, unique gift.    While we were certainly a part of her story and a big piece of her 92-year journey, her life legacy will be much broader because she was “called”.   
My mom’s legacy and the memory that will live on for decades, is the way she sought out God’s Will for her life.  Her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, gave my mom a true gift that most people in our society will never experience because they are not willing to hear the call nor endure the sacrifice.  I’m talking about that unique Spiritual ability to see people not as the world views them, but as Christ sees them.  
Sally Wells was quick to forgive the drug-users and the prostitutes; many would become her sober circle of friends.  She played piano for the elderly at nursing homes and loved on the ones who had no visitors.  She gave career training and jobs to felons because they needed a fresh start.  She sponsored hundreds of people in AA, because she knew their demons, personally.  She didn’t just pray for those addicts; she ran AA and NA meetings weekly for 30+ years, helping to lead hundreds to sobriety.  She took late-night calls from anyone in need, and always had time to listen.    She didn’t hate pro-choice people.  She prayed that someday they would see the tremendous hope and potential in the unborn.   She didn’t just “March” for Life once a year in DC; she brought life to our spare bedrooms where she delivered love and joy to “two” special souls that needed each other.  
With the help of friends and donors, Sally Wells founded Starting Point Inc., a half-way house for ex-offenders and rehab center for addicts in Monmouth, Illinois.  Still going strong today I’m told.  However, most there have no idea who Sally is or what she sacrificed to make that place happen in 1982.   That’s because that was my mom’s design.  Mom always believed that God’s plan gets done when no one in the room cares about who gets the credit.  
I know my mom missed more of my ballgames growing up than she would have liked.  It always amazed me that she found the bleachers as often as she did because her work often required travel and long-hours!   That’s part of the sacrifice that goes with being a single mother of 5 who’s also actively answering God’s daily calls.   Thankfully for me, she made certain to build a strong family unit around her “baby”.  My older brothers and sisters made sure someone was always there to cheer me on and make that little skinny kid believe he could achieve whatever he dreamed if he was willing to work for it.  My favorite mom quote was, “failure is never final, unless you’re willing to give-up.”   Thanks mom for showing me the value of fortitude and always following your heart; not preaching it but by living it.   
I know my mom is helping me write this, because I’m crying like a baby!   She’s still assuring me that “God gave us tears for a reason; to know when his Spirit is flowing through us”.  So, in honor of mom, a quick prayer: “Thank you Holy Spirit for giving me these tears that are pouring down my face and for giving me Sally as my mom.”   
It’s hard saying goodbye to people we love; those we admire.   The hurt is so real and the memories are thick and overwhelming.   But isn’t that part of the “gift” package?  When else do we get that elephant on the chest feeling; that sense of complete surrender. When else do we feel so much love and compassion from siblings, friends, colleagues and former classmates.   It only happens when we are saying goodbye for that final time.  It seems so evident that this grieving, painful process is all part of God’s master plan.  Which should strengthen our resolve to trust the divine promise that heaven shall be eternal for all of us who believe.  
For those like Sally, that lived their lives for others and said YES to God’s calling, we can all take comfort in knowing Christ greeted her with loving, open arms today.  Therefore, we MUST find the joy and the celebration in earthly departures, knowing that a greater eternity awaits those of us who believe!    
There is also a sweet irony in the fact that my mom died the week of St. Patrick’s Day.   I assure you my Mom is sitting at the piano tonight with all of our family and friends gathered around; the Murphys, the McGwires, The Quinlisks, the Keithleys and so many more who have gone before her.  They are all loudly singing Danny Boy while their Irish Eyes Are Smiling because Sally is finally home!  
As for the rest of us who still have a journey ahead, I plan to follow the advice of one amazing lady who always said, “take it one day at a time!” 


OBITUARY

Sally "Sara" Wells

August 8, 1929 – March 15, 2020

Butler Funeral Home & Cremation Tribute Center-Springfield

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services