Obituary of Sally B. Adams

Sarah Jeffrey Buckley Adams was born April 20, 1949 and died July 22, 2014. Sarah, known as Sally, was born in Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey to Barbara Kosman Buckley and William Douglas Buckley. At age 3, she moved to Millburn, New Jersey, where she lived until she went to college. Sally graduated in 1971 from Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana, where she was editor of the campus newspaper. She received a Masters Degree in Journalism from Columbia University in 1972, and moved to Rochester, New York to be a reporter for the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. Within one month of becoming a local reporter, she interviewed a young Rochester businessman, Paul Adams. They married in September, 1973. Sally worked as a newspaper reporter until the late 1970's and then taught journalism at St. John Fisher College until she began to raise her children. She believed in helping other women find their way professionally. For many years, she committed herself to this mission through her work at Rochester's Women's Career Center. Sally always said that her children were her connection to the world and helped her grow as a person. She was a devoted mother to Pam, Betsy and Karen and later an equally devoted grandmother to her grandchildren, Nadia and Skylar. She would supervise homework, go to soccer games and dance concerts, organize play dates and take pride in her children's education. In recent years, Sally was a major figure in the community village that raised Nadia. Sally was proud of Nadia's accomplishments, social connections and personal growth, and was amazed by her musical abilities. She took delight in her newest grandchild, Skylar, who's energy and enthusiasm for life gave her great happiness. She was a loving friend and mate to her husband Paul. She was his best friend. They enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and the world. They took biking tours through The Netherlands, Italy and France, and travelled through southern Spain. Sally always referred to Nantucket Island as her spiritual home, and she and Paul spent summers there beginning in 1978. She, Paul and her children shared many joyous memories of these summers in the village of Madaket and on the islands' beaches. She loved the islands history, its vistas, its sunsets and her special Nantucket friends, Tom, Louisa, Allison and Sarah Affleck. Sally loved her home and community in Home Acres. There were so many happy occasions and events celebrated among neighborhood friends and families. She found stimulation in the readings and conversations of her beloved Home Acres Book Club. As a devoted reader she explored life's meaning through books. Sally was a board member of Hillside Adoption Resource Network. She was a strong advocate for international adoption and spent years evaluating and strengthening the Hillside Family of Agencies. She shared supportive experiences and beliefs with many in the international adoption community. She also worked with Literacy Volunteers helping improve english language skills for many who were finding their way through American life. She will be missed by all who knew her, but most of all by her husband and daughters who loved her acceptance of them, her embracing and supportive nature, her good humor, her loyalty to family and friends, and her unquestioning love through all of life's changes. There was no one like her. There will be no one like her. She is survived by Paul, her loving husband, companion and friend of 42 years who misses her deeply, by her daughters, Pam Adams, Betsy (Matt) Walker and Karen Adams, by her granddaughters, Nadia Adams and Skylar Walker, by her sister Sue (Bob) Mellman and brother Oliver (Lynne) Buckley, by her nephews, Ben (Ann) and Will Mellman, and Spencer (Mindy, daughter Molly) Adams, by her neice, Barbara Adams,and her by her brother-in-law and sister-in-law Mitchell and Donna Adams. The familay also wishes to acknowledge Amy Stevens Yelle and Cathy Sztanko Kusak who are like members of the family. The family also lovingly remembers her Aunt Judy and her many cousins. Sally will be buried in Mt. Hope Cemetery near her cousin Julietta Wolf-Foster, with whom she shared long walks. They will now be at each other's side. We thank Julietta's husband Tom and her daughters Emily and Catherine for their support. Special thanks to friends Alice Hoagland and Gary Cassara who looked after her during her illness and friends John Borek and Jacqueline Levine who sat vigil with her family at Brigham and Women's Hospital. The family also wishes to thank Dana Farber Cancer Institute for their dedication which transcended mere treatment. Her friend Lisa Maynard wrote a wonderful summation: "Sally is an amazing woman: strong spirit, kindhearted and generous with her love. She has been a supportive listener, life coach and treasured friend. May you all find peace in cherished memories and her unwavering love for each of you." Please remember Sally with donations to Hillside Adoption Resource Network www.hillside.com. Memorial calling hours will be held Sunday 1 PM to 5 PM at Jennings, Nulton & Mattle Funeral Home, 1704 Penfield Road, Penfield, New York 14526.