Sally Lynne Sommer

Sally Lynne Sommer, 83, passed away peacefully on January 15, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. A vibrant soul who dedicated her life to kindness, Sally left an indelible mark on all who knew her. For those who were close to Sally, rest assured that she has earned her fairy wings and joined the realm of celestial guardians. 

Born in Winchester, MA, in 1941 to Betty and Charles E. Higbee, Sally delighted in helping others. Whether encouraging someone to persevere or appreciating the delicately orchestrated details of a cotton candy sky, or waltzing the neighborhood to find the perfect pinecone, she was steadfast in her commitment to kindness. Her healthcare career began as a Candy Striper volunteer, progressed to LPN at UCSF Children's Hospital San Francisco, and concluded with roles as an EKG technician and volunteer at EvergreenHealth in Kirkland, WA. Sally cared for and rescued numerous small animals throughout her life, embodying her profound belief that every creature, regardless of size, deserves compassionate care and dignity.

 In 1964, Sally married Bob Sommer in San Francisco, CA. Together, they shared a love for good food, the outdoors, hiking, and camping. As a Girl Scout and camp counselor, she passed on her passion for nature, singing, and crafts (and, of course, chipmunks!) to her family: husband Bob, son Ken, daughter Deb, grandsons Nick, Mason, and Nolan, and great-grandson Bastien.

An avid reader, Sally often finished a book a day, finding joy in tales of fairies, dragons, and historical mysteries. Her green thumb created beautiful garden spaces, where she encouraged others to slow down and appreciate life's finer details. As a hip mom and grandma, you could find her most afternoons with a caramel-laden Seattle coffee while indulging in her favorite Hawaiian radio show, depending on her mood for the day, it might progress to Enya, Yanni, or dance music from C89. She loved ending her day with Nintendo and, predating that, Atari, often playing with her son and grandsons. Most nights she would play Dr. Mario, Tetris, or Zelda. Sally cherished connection with family and friends, often sending emails with cute and funny pictures, stories or recipes, just to keep things light.

Sally’s spirit will endure, inspiring us to slow down, cherish life's intricate moments, and remain deeply connected to one another. Sally is survived by her children, grandchildren, great-grandson, brothers Steve, Pete, and Dave, sister-in-law Kied, and niece Serena. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Bob Sommer, and parents Betty and Charlie.

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, February 9 at 1 PM PST at Emerald Heights Senior Living Community in Redmond, WA. The service will be livestreamed via Zoom. For the Zoom link and password, please contact Deb Sommer. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to EvergreenHealth Foundation Hospice Services, Girl Scouts of Western Washington, or Girl Scouts of Massachusetts.