Sally June (Riddell) Sutton born to a World War II Navy hero and a Navy Nurse in Newport, Rhode Island, later grew up in Tucson, Arizona before settling permanently in Point Loma of San Diego, has made her way to the Heavens by first passing through the stones in true Outlander style before midnight on December 23, 2019.
A high school National Honor’s Society’s brilliance, Sally was a voracious reader consuming hundreds (let me repeat, hundreds) of romance novels, even perusing the obituaries (so let’s make this one count!), loved conservative politics and pop culture, had a knack for predicting box office hits as a devoted fan of the Oscars, and was amazingly astute (in all things really) but loved history the most. She briefly attended the University of Arizona. She maintained her dry sense of humor and sharp wit and could literally wipe the mat clean if you were her opponent at Trivial Pursuit. Equally impressive, Sally had stunning beauty with big doe eyes and dainty physique. She modeled in the 1960’s for the Flair Parisienne Agency. She exuded true ladylike class. So charming and poised was she that while at a Beatles concert the guards chose her to stand within mere feet of the band.
Proudly hailing from the lowlands of the Roxburgh district of clan Riddell Scottish ancestry on her father’s side, she adored all things Outlander and was a true fan reading the entire collection in the late 1990’s for which she deserves street cred for having foresight that it would someday be made for television. The Sky Boat song is her jam. She was also a patron a time or two at the Scottish Highland games and Renaissance Fairs. Sally also enjoyed Swedish lineage from her mother’s side for which she inherited her strong stick-to-itiveness even when things seemed most dire. She loved visiting the House of Scotland and Sweden at Balboa Park as wonderful reminders of her heritage.
A faithful Christian, Sally loved all God’s furry creatures, was tolerant of all people and simply enjoyed a good conversation and a hug. She was friendly, cared about others, was gentle and nurturing. She truly was one of the good ones. But she did not have a green thumb. She enjoyed a lucrative hobby of raising and showing purebred Persians in the 1980’s and 1990’s, previously showing Doberman’s in the late 1970’s but for obvious reasons never together. She also adored and owned horses. It is certain that she is busy grooming and cuddling her beloved furry friends at Rainbow Bridge and humming along to “Memory” from Cats.
Sally is survived by her Navy veteran husband, 1 son, 1 daughter, 1 son-in-law, 1-daughter-in-law, 6 grandchildren, 1 great grandchild, 1 step brother, her mother (she’s 99!) and a 100+year old orange flower blooming Amaryllis plant that was brought back from Stockholm, Sweden by her immigrant grandparents.
There will be no viewing because Sally would not risk a bad hair day. There will be a Memorial service at Beardsley-Mitchell followed by a committal service at Miramar National Cemetery to give her a high five with a “you go girl’ nod to the Heavens. Everyone who remembers her is asked to celebrate Sally in true Sally style; raise a glass of Martinelli’s sparkling apple cider, feed a homeless animal, watch funny cat videos on YouTube or binge Outlander start to finish….while nibbling gummy bears. One thing is for sure, she certainly lived up to her Riddell Scottish clan motto of “I hope to share”.
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