Sallie Parker (1940 - 2015)

Sallie L. Parker, 74, died peacefully at her home in Hershey on April 3, 2015 following complications from leukemia. She was happily married for 46 years to Sheldon "Shel" Parker, the love of her life. She found great joy in son Dr. Todd Parker and wife Beth of Swarthmore, PA; son Scott Parker and wife Kate of Pittsburgh, PA; and son Blair Parker of Sterling, VA. Sharing in their deep loss are four grandchildren: Louis, Hannah, Harrison, and Julia. Sallie was the daughter of the late Theron and Catherine Lawler of Columbus, Ohio. She is survived by her brother Richard Lawler (Stefanie) and her sister Mary Elizabeth Blaha (Jim) and was preceded in death by her brother William.

Sallie graduated from Washington's Trinity University with a B.A. in Economics and from Penn State Harrisburg with an M.A. in Public Administration. Her emphasis was on health care so that she would, in part, know how to support aging parents. After successful careers as a research assistant with the Battelle Memorial Institute in Columbus, Ohio and with U.S. Steel in Pittsburgh, Sallie went back to work when the children were older. For 27 years, Sallie was a long-term care insurance consultant for Camp Hill's Professional Insurance Services.

The headline in an article about Sallie in the Harrisburg Patriot News read, "Woman Makes Giving a Lifestyle." Her generosity of spirit and a desire to help people in need extended and evolved throughout her life. Her volunteering - particularly with seniors - began when she chaired the Golden Age Holiday Show in Pittsburgh and included the following organizations where she served on the boards and/or committees: United Way of the Capital Region, The Foundation for Enhanced Communities, Central Pennsylvania Hospice, Theatre Harrisburg, Junior League of Harrisburg and of Pittsburgh, College Club of Harrisburg, Trinity University Alumnae Council, Interfaith Shelter, and WQED Pittsburgh. Also, she chaired and worked on the committees of many fundraisers and benefits for causes she and her husband supported.

The pinnacle of her service with the senior community and recognition of her leadership was her appointment to the Pennsylvania Council on Aging, the statewide organization tasked with advising the governor and the Department of Aging on the planning, coordination, and delivery of services to older people. She was first named to this voluntary position by Governor Edward Rendell in 2009 and was confirmed by the State Senate. She was later reappointed by Governor Tom Corbett. Sallie was elected Chair of the Council by her peers and served in that position until her passing.

Sallie's strong religious faith led her to become a Eucharistic minister at St. Joan of Arc Roman Catholic Church and, for 23 years, to co-chair the church's Wednesday deliveries of Meals on Wheels and to personally deliver meals once a month.

Sallie enjoyed bridge, tennis, a good walk, an interesting book, and traveling the world. However, she would wish to be remembered as a person who loved her family and friends more than anything.

The Parker Family wishes to thank the doctors, advanced practitioners, nurses, and support staff of the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and Sallie's long-time primary care physician, Dr. R.W. Hamilton, for their skilled care. The family also appreciates the compassionate care provided by Hospice of Central Pennsylvania and the support provided by her wonderful friends during her health challenges.

Family and friends are invited to a visitation at the Hoover Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., Route 422 & Lucy Avenue, Hershey, on Thursday, April 9th from 6-8:00 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Rev. Philip Burger on Friday, April 10th at 11:00am in the St. Joan of Arc Roman Catholic Church , 359 West Areba Avenue, Hershey. Burial will be conducted at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, Sallie's wish is that any memorial contributions be made in her name to one of the following: St. Joan of Arc Roman Catholic Church or to the Mohler Senior Center, 660 Cherry Drive, Hershey, PA 17033.

Source Link: http://obits.pennlive.com/obituaries/pennlive/obituary.aspx?n=sallie-l-parker&pid=174562968&fhid=28162