Sally Smith Emmel
1934 – 2021
Surrounded by photos of her grandchildren, and with her family at her side, Sally Emmel (nee Smith) passed away peacefully in her home on September 15th. During the early years of her life, Sally split her time between her home on “Dumpling Hill” in Rochester and her beloved Quinte Lodge on the Bay of Quinte. It was there, as a young girl living on the Bay, that she developed her love for the water, becoming an accomplished sailor and fixture at PEYC, a talented swimmer and a champion water skier and instructor, including champion for the Province of Ontario and runner-up for the Canadian National title. Sally’s warm heart, curious mind and adventurous spirit were always on display. Her commitment to learning never stopped. She graduated at the top of her class at West High School (’52), was Phi Beta Kappa at the University of Rochester (‘56) and was a devoted member of the Osher Lifelong Learning community. Sally was a leader in numerous organizations but always had a special place in her heart for WXXI Public Television, where she dressed as Big Bird for many an auction fundraiser, for the Burby Hollow Ski Club and for her square dance friends at the Village Squares. Sally was also an entrepreneur, co-founding the Second Season Clothing store and managing it for 25 years. To say she was an enthusiastic traveler does not do her justice. Sally loved to visit new cultures and no place was too exotic for her, whether she was snorkeling in the Galapagos, exploring in Turkey, sightseeing in Europe, riding camels in Egypt, watching lions in Botswana, sailing in the Caribbean, canoeing in northern Ontario or helicopter-skiing in the Canadian Rockies. She was always happiest though with her family and friends around the table on the dining porch at her beloved Campy, sharing a meal overlooking the Bay, admiring the moonbeam shimmering on the water and playing games deep into the evening. She lived without regrets and leaves behind a lifetime of wonderful memories. Her family, including devoted husband Peter, daughter Susan and her partner Thomas, son Doug and his wife Honor, grandchildren Devon, James, Dylan, Jack and Lucy, great-granddaughter Isabel, and wonderful extended family including Charlene Anderson, Jeff and Betsy Dunham, Stephen and John Emmel, Laura Hercher, Elizabeth Hercher, Casey Weiss, Arjun Thakkar, Emily & Michele Anderson, Hallie Cullinane, Sofie and Sebastian Pinto Basto will always remember her. She also wished to recognize her wonderful friends of many decades in the County including Phyllis Sibthorpe, Dave and Lynn Edward, Amélie and Keith Kulker, Judy MacDonald and Christopher Gentile. Other close County friends who pre-deceased Sally include Jack Lyons, Johnny Sibthorpe, Nancy Bethune and Hal MacDonald. A funeral service will be held at the University of Rochester Interfaith Chapel on Saturday, October 2nd at 3:00p.m. For more information on the service or to share any personal memories, please visit https://millerfuneralandcremationservices.com/obituaries/