Sara "Sally" Louise Cochrane

Sara “Sally” Louise Cochrane, beloved wife, sister, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Saturday, July 25, 2026, following a brief illness. She was 76 years old.

Born on March 27, 1950, in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, Sally was the daughter of Marion Louise Maule Kane and Robert Edwin Kane. She grew up in Pennsylvania surrounded by a close-knit family and lifelong friendships that she treasured throughout her life.

Sally attended Lock Haven State College in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in French. She later built a respected career with the Social Security Administration, eventually serving as the manager of the Towanda, Pennsylvania office. Sally was admired for her intelligence, exceptional organizational skills, and remarkably sharp memory. Whether recalling birthdays, names, dates, or stories from years past, her memory never ceased to amaze those around her.

On November 11, 1977, Sally married George David Stempel, beginning a marriage built on love, friendship, and adventure. Together they embraced life to the fullest. They visited all 50 states, spent more than 30 Christmases in Florida, and enjoyed an incredible 73 cruises together. One of their most memorable adventures was riding motorcycles across the country with Sally’s sister, Becky, and brother-in-law, Mike, creating stories they would reminisce about for years to come.

Sally and George loved spending time with friends at the Towanda Gun Club, Towanda Elks Lodge, and the VFW. Whether enjoying dinner, sharing laughs, or planning their next trip, Sally treasured the friendships they built and the community that became an important part of their lives.

After George’s passing in 2016, Sally made Florida her permanent home. In Orlando, she met David Cochrane during a game of bingo at the Elks Club. Their friendship blossomed into love, and they were married on February 10, 2019, at Ventura Country Club, beginning another beautiful chapter of life together.

Sally and David shared countless happy moments. They loved relaxing in their hot tub while sipping strawberry daiquiris and watching golfers make their way down the fairways. In 2024, they moved to Allegro, where they quickly became part of the community, made many cherished friends, and rarely missed a game of bingo. Each Christmas season, they delighted residents and visitors alike as Mr. and Mrs. Claus, bringing smiles, laughter, and holiday magic to everyone they met.

Sally had a gift for finding joy in the simple pleasures. She loved cruising, bingo, lottery scratch-off tickets, slot machines, and a good game of chance, often seeming to have luck on her side. She was an avid reader who could always be found with a book nearby, adored the color pink, and never met a flamingo she didn’t love. She had a wonderful sense of humor, a contagious laugh, and a knack for making ordinary moments feel like celebrations. She always insisted on hosting Party Central on family vacations.

Above all else, Sally loved her family. She delighted in spoiling her nieces and nephews and treasured every opportunity to spend time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She never forgot a birthday or special occasion and always found thoughtful ways to let the people she loved know they were important. Her generous heart, unwavering kindness, and gift for making everyone feel welcome left a lasting impression on all who knew her.

Sally is survived by her devoted husband, David Cochrane; her sisters, Becky Earnest, Jamie Cunnard, and Kathy Kane; her brother, Bob Kane; and many beloved nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family members, and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Marion Louise Maule Kane and Robert Edwin Kane; her beloved first husband, George Stempel; and her sister, Cora Lynn Jordan.

Though our hearts are heavy with loss, we are grateful for the example Sally set through a life lived with love, generosity, laughter, resilience, and adventure. She taught us to cherish friendships, treasure family, embrace every opportunity to travel, and never pass up the chance to laugh, celebrate, or enjoy another cruise.

In honor of Sally, consider wearing something pink, reading a good book, buying a scratch-off ticket, sharing a warm hug, raising a strawberry daiquiri, or simply spending time with those you love. There could be no more fitting tribute to a woman who found so much joy in bringing happiness to others.

Sally’s love, laughter, and unforgettable spirit will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who were fortunate enough to know her.

A Gathering of Family and Friends will be held at Baldwin-Fairchild Funeral Home, 7520 Aloma Avenue, Winter Park, Florida, on July 31, 2026, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm, followed by a Funeral Service at Baldwin-Fairchild Funeral Home, 7520 Aloma Avenue, Winter Park, Florida, on July 31, 2026, from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm.