Sally Ann Parkinson, 83, passed away peacefully at her home in Howey-in-the-Hills, Fla., on Wednesday, August 5, 2015, surrounded by her family.

She was born on May 14, 1932, to Ethel Kirkman Brokaw and Dr. Christopher Armitage Brokaw in Elizabeth, N.J. She graduated from Vail-Deane School and attended Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Following Skidmore, she spent three years at Jersey City Medical Center where she earned her Registered Nurse certification.

In 1956, she married John David Parkinson in Elizabeth, N.J. During their 59-year marriage she was a major asset throughout his business career, balancing her time and efforts between corporate functions and raising their family.

Sally loved animals, sports, and the outdoors. At Vail-Deane she was named the top, all-around athlete and was on the New Jersey All-State Field Hockey team. She later pursued her passion of horses, including breeding, dressage, and cross-country. She had a life-long love for her dogs, and volunteered at numerous animal shelters in the cities where she and her husband lived in retirement.

Sally’s penchant for competitive sports included fishing, tennis, and golf. In the most recent past she became an accomplished golfer due to her philosophy that “she could always get better with proper lessons and serious practice!”

Sally leaves behind her husband David Parkinson; son D. Gregory Parkinson (Linda), son Rex G. Parkinson (Karen) and daughter Leanne Parkinson Callahan. She will be sadly missed by their seven grandchildren who affectionately called her Mimi, in whose lives she took great interest and was deeply loved: Megan Parkinson Spivey (Brett), Brian Parkinson, Shawn Parkinson, Ian Parkinson (Shelsea), Alex Parkinson, Jack Callahan (Samantha), and Kevin Callahan. Sally was very excited about the recent birth of their first great grandchild, Sally Anne Spivey, in May of this year.

Sally made friends easily and would light up any room she walked in! She was a very loving person who treated everyone with equal respect, and she had many close and good friends whom she cherished throughout her entire life. She will be missed by so many whose lives she touched through the years.

A celebration of life for friends of Sally and Dave Parkinson will be held on Friday, August 14, 2015 from 1:30 – 4 p.m. at Mission Inn, Howey-in-the-Hills.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family request with gratitude that gifts in her memory be directed to Cornerstone Hospice Foundation, 2445 Lane Park Road, Tavares, FL 32778, 888-728-6234, www.cshospice.org.

Services entrusted to Steverson, Hamlin & Hilbish, Tavares, Fla. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared on the tribute wall at www.SteversonHamlinHilbish.com.

Steverson, Hamlin & Hilbish Funerals and Cremations
Tavares, Fla.