Sally's Obituary

The following will be submitted to the Houston Chronicle, San Diego Union Tribune, Denver Post, Tennessean, New York Times, and Los Angeles Times.

Sally Goode Nies, 68, passed away Sunday May 2, 2010 in Sugar Land, Texas after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born in Orange, California on October 8, 1941 to the late Claire and James Goode.

Sally is survived by her loving husband of 49 years, Alan and by her two children Lorrie and Craig and their spouses John Shinol and Kathie. She also leaves behind her 4 grandchildren Stephen and Andrew Shinol, and Christopher and Gavin Nies. Sally is survived by her brother Jimmy Goode and many other friends and relatives. Sally is preceded in death by her sister Priscilla Lorenz.

She was raised in Orange, California back when it was surrounded by orange groves. She and Alan were married in Orange on June 25, 1961. In their early days they moved around the country from Boston to Seattle to San Francisco to Washington DC. They then settled to raise their family in Nashville and Denver. Later they lived in Perth, Australia and Scotch Plains, New Jersey before retiring. There was no better place to retire than near her children and their families in Sugar Land, TX and Carlsbad, CA.

Sally was one of the kindest hearted people and truly cared for everyone. To the end she was hopeful and cheerful--her life was a remarkable example of Abraham Lincoln's quote "With malice toward none, with charity for all". She left a wake of grace.

Sally's presence brought a smile to those around her. Her generous heart and soul will live on in all who had the pleasure of knowing her. 

"If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together...there is something you must always remember. You are stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we're apart...I'll always be with you." Winnie the Pooh (and Sally too).


There will be two memorials for Sally. A memorial will be held in Sugar Land, Texas at 10am on Saturday, May 8 at The Settegast-Kopf Company, 15015 Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land, TX 77478 (281-565-5015). A reception will follow.

A memorial will be held in Carlsbad, CA on May 29. Details will be posted at alannies.blogspot.com

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Sally’s memory to Heifer International (www.heifer.org)