Alice Margaret "Sally" Blakely

Alice Margaret (Wilson) Blakely passed away peacefully on June 22, 2023, at her home in Elim Park, Cheshire, Connecticut.  Sally (as she was known by friends and family) lived at Elim Park since November of 2009.  Prior to moving to Elim Park, Sally, and her husband Frank L. Blakely (who passed away 2/9/2001) of over 50 years lived at 150 S. Meriden Rd., Cheshire, CT.  Together they raised their two sons; Stephen R. Blakely (who passed August 5, 2017) and Frank W. Blakely (who passed February 8, 2022).  

Sally was an amazing, caring, vibrant, and easy-going person.  She grew up in New Cambria, Kansas, and was proud of her mid-west roots. She showed championship cattle at the local fair and was involved in 4-H growing up.  Sally graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in Home Economics.  While at K-State, she met her future husband, Frank. Once they graduated, they married and moved back to Frank's home state of Connecticut.

While raising her two sons, Sally went back to college and earned her master's degree.  She went on to teach for several years at Dodd Middle School, Cheshire, CT.  Sally taught countless students, and it wasn't unusual for her to run into these students later in her life.  They always remembered her, and she always laughed and said they looked different than when she knew them in junior high school. She loved to cook, and chances are, you’ve sampled one of her amazing dishes taught to her students and passed down to so many of her family.  After retirement Sally volunteered at Gaylord for several years.  Sally had many hobbies including: cross-stitch, needle point, crafts of all kinds, gardening, canning, caring for beautiful house plants, and making amazing quilts that her family proudly displays.  She was very active in the Daughters of the American Revolution and her church the First Congregational Church of Cheshire. 

Sally loved her family and was very proud of all their many accomplishments.  She is survived by her daughter-in-law Joan Blakely, grandchildren Adam Blakely (Joannie Blakely), Suzanne Blakely Grauer (Chad Grauer), Christina MacFadzen, Barbara Blakely, and Robert Blakely.  She is also survived by five grandchildren from her son Stephen's family: Julia MacFadzen, Sarah Lawrence, Jackson Lawrence, Liam Blakely, and Jackson Blakely.  Five grandchildren from her son Frank W.'s family: Sophie Blakely, Beau Blakely, Jay Wilson (she loved that Jay had her maiden name) Blakely, Joe Grauer, and Kate Grauer.  She is also survived by several special nieces, nephews and great-grand nieces and nephews. Several of them have visited over the years and helped her celebrate her 100^th birthday almost five years ago at Elim Park.   We all knew her as Gram, and she was always ready to take us and direct us to the best places in New England.  

Sally was blessed with so many friends, and the most amazing care givers this past year and a half.  They loved her like she was their own.  Hospice was extremely helpful, as were her doctors.  She lived a full and wonderful life and only had a few days left to make it to the extraordinary age of 105 years old.  We will all miss her tremendously.  

We will have a celebration of life at Nelson Hall, Elim Park, 150 Cook Hill Road, Cheshire on Tuesday, June 27, 2023 at 10:30AM.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Connecticut Hospice 100 Double Beach Rd, Branford, Ct 06405, or First Congregational Church, 111 Church Dr. Cheshire, CT, 06410.  The Alderson-Ford Funeral Home of Cheshire has been entrusted with her care.