Sally Louise Strauss passed away peacefully on Nov. 15 at St. Luke's Hospice in Kansas City, Missouri, in the loving and protective company of her devoted friend and caregiver, Judy Shepard.
She was taken by a super aggressive cancer throughout her body.
Sally was born on April 16, 1955, in Kansas City, Missouri, welcomed with delight by her mother, Gerre Gene Strauss; father, Eugene “Gene” M. Strauss; big brother, Frank Goodman Strauss; and sister, Barbara Ann Strauss. Irresistibly cute, sparkling brown eyes and always on the run, she earned her daddy's nickname. “Steamboat.” until at age two she contracted infectious encephalitis. Her strong inner core survived the disease, enduring and fighting lifelong damage to her immune and nervous systems, hearing, mood and overall health, which she endured with grit. Consequently, she developed extensive medical knowledge. Her senior yearbook picture quote was “I will overcome.”
Sally and her sister, “Boo”, were very close throughout childhood. They had their own ribald imaginary story with a language and names that they thought were hilarious and the family found obnoxious. It was a great source of levity, comfort and bonding into adulthood. However, independent from the get-go, Sally eventually bristled at being mistaken as twins and dressed alike as children, and in adulthood announced no more introducing her as a “baby sister.”
Santa read that she wanted a dog, and at long last, Sparky brought her and the family much joy. She grieved him for years after he died.
Brother Frank was six years older than Sally, always watchful, protective and a tease. Growing up, Sally spent summers in Kansas City, Missouri; Coronado, California; and Camp Walden in Maine. The highlight of her summers were card games in Coronado with her next door neighbor, Uncle Harry Jacobs, who absolutely adored her.
Sally was a 15 year “Lifer” at Sunset Hill School, starting in pre-nursery and graduating in 1973.
High school activities included stagecraft, drama, the American Field Service Board, treasurer junior year and vice president senior year. She majored in political science at Pitzer College and attended American University in D.C. her senior year. She worked in the family publishing firm for a number of years.
Sally was close to her mother, whom she nicknamed “Cutes.” Together they would shop for antiques and had some wonderful trips. Heartbroken by her mother's profoundly debilitating illness starting at age 65, Sally managed her mother's home care and medical care with an iron fist for nearly 11 years. Peggy Gresham stepped in as a second mother to Sally, as did Judy Shepard, whose role evolved from housekeeper to primary caregiver for Gerre, personal assistant to Gene and ongoing surrogate mother to Sally.
Sally and her father became very close during Gerre's illness and death and following the death of Frank. As Gene aged and developed blindness, Sally managed his breakfasts daily. He loved her company and told Boo that Sally “tickled the [expletive] out of him.” She was always center in her parents' attention, thoughts and hearts. Sally's and Judy's visits to Gene in assisted living and his healthcare center were the highlights of his weeks. She grieved long and hard her mother's death in 1998, her brother's death in 1999 and her father's death in 2022.
Sally was sophisticated, cynical, and in some ways fearless and confident. She inherited her mother's high style and elegance; her father's gift at the piano and love of music; and her grandmother Sophia's unflappable, succinct and acerbic wit. She was wickedly funny, smart, clever, rebellious, proud and decisive. She used her knowledge and wit to entertain, challenge and assist. National politics fascinated her, and she followed them closely. She enjoyed reading as well as quiet time. Best of all, Sally enjoyed her friends.
Deep and enduring gratitude and sympathy to Judy Shepard and her family for their tender loving care, friendship and assistance throughout the years, as well as to all family, friends and helpers who loved, enjoyed and helped Sally, contributing to her best possible life.
Sally wished her ashes to be scattered in Coronado. A grave marker is to be ordered at Rose Hill Cemetery alongside her family. A memorial gathering is under consideration.
Her family requests in lieu of flowers, donations in her memory go to the ASPCA.
Sally was also predeceased by her grandparents, Barney Goodman, Sophia K. Goodman, Harry B. Strauss and Anna C. Strauss; great-aunt Elizabeth Jacobs (Harry L. Jacobs)); great-aunt Louise Schwartz (Charlie Schwartz); uncle John K. Goodman (Beatrice P Goodman, Aline Bragg Goodman); uncle Leonard Strauss (Elaine Stern, Una Chang Strauss); uncle Norman Strauss (Marilyn Fred Strauss); first cousins Leslie Ann Strauss and Lucy P. Goodman; and dear friend Yancy Shepard.
Sally is survived by her sister, Barbara Strauss Bullis (James Bullis) of Sunnyvale, California; first cousins Susan Strauss of Kansas City, Missouri; Ellen Strauss of Pasadena, California; Meredith Jackson (Jay Jackson) of Glendale, California; Fred Strauss (Rosemary Strauss) of Omaha, Nebraska; John K. Goodman II of Santa Monica, California; Alex D. Lee (Stephanie Lee) of Tucson, Arizona; and their beloved families. She is also survived by her dearest friends, Judy Shepard of Kansas City, Missouri; Rachel Johnson, Rick Shepard, Brooke Shepard and their families.
Online condolences for the family may be left at www.louismemorialchapel.com.
