CHEBEAGUE ISLAND -- Sally Hayden Ballard passed away on June 30, 2014, at The Island Commons on Chebeague Island surrounded by friends and family. CHEBEAGUE ISLAND -- Sally Hayden Ballard passed away on June 30, 2014, at The Island Commons on Chebeague Island surrounded by friends and family.
Born on Sept. 22, 1932, to Altie and Perry Hayden of Windham, Sally grew up in Windham, along with her brothers, Peter and Perry, spending summers at Higgins Beach.
Sally dedicated her life to helping others. Through her work as a teacher and a hospice worker, she touched many people with her wisdom and support. She also believed in equality for all citizens, working throughout her life to strengthen civil rights in America.
After retiring from hospice, she and her husband Sam Ballard moved to Chebeague Island where she was an active volunteer at the Island Commons, serving as president of the Board. She also enjoyed singing in The Whalers, playing the piano, practicing yoga, reading, and writing poetry.
After graduating from Windham High School in 1950, she attended the Normal School at University of Maine. She began her teaching career at Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown, Mass. While raising her family she went on to teach at Head Start in Nashua, N.H., followed by 12 years as a special ed teacher in the Merrimack School system. During these years she completed her college degree at Rivier College in N.H. She went on to receive her M. Ed from Fitchburg State College. After retiring from teaching, she worked for many years as a bereavement coordinator at Home Health and Hospice Care in Nashua, N.H.
Sally was predeceased by her husband, Sam Ballard; as well as her brothers, Perry and Peter Hayden. Sally is survived by her daughters, Julie Doane (Bob) and Tracy Weitz (John); and her four stepchildren, Tim Ballard (Patricia), Andrea Ballard (John), Stephanie McAllister Poon (Brian), and Celia Sandbloom (Keith). She will also be missed by her nine grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
There will be a memorial service in September to celebrate Sally's life. To offer condolences to and share memories with the family go to www.athutchins.com.
Donations may be made in her memory to:
Island Commons
132 Littlefield Rd.
Chebeague Island, Maine 04017
