Sally Ann Stotts
Sally Stotts was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1937. She grew up on her parents’ farm in a northern suburb of Detroit where she learned and loved growing plants and gardening. After high school she became a secretary at the nearby General Motors Technical Center where she met her future husband, Clarence (Gene) Stotts, being the first person Gene met on his first day of work at General Motors. In Utica they built their dream house and raised four sons, Robert, Michael, James and Thomas.
In 1986 they moved to Arizona and worked together at each of three more companies, including two of their own. Sally was a secretary, administrative assistant and office manager, skilled in use of computers, over many years. She was also very talented as a water color, oils and air brush artist and an accomplished potter throwing over five hundred pieces with her own wheel and studio at home. She was an outstanding cook and seamstress making all of her own clothes and much of her family’s shirts, pants and suits. She designed and made her own wedding dress.
Being always a cheerful and friendly person, many people, after meeting her for the first time, often remarked that they were sure they had met her sometime before. She was always in a good mood, smiling and ready for fun or work, engaging in both with equal enthusiasm! Sally and Gene built their home in PebbleCreek Golf and Tennis Resort in Goodyear, Arizona in 2003. They were virtually inseparable all of their lives at home, with their children and at play in sports and hobbies. She and Gene especially loved tennis and played as often as possible.
Sally passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family on Saturday, August 20, 2016. She is survived by her husband and four sons along with two granddaughters, Cherise and Tori and one great grandchild, Mariah. She is also survived by a brother Harold L. Diegel and sister Virginia Folkers. She is preceded in death by her parents Marcella and Harold B. Diegel and a younger sister, Joan Foulis.
A memorial Mass was held at St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Avondale, Arizona in September. Donations in Sally’s memory may be made to Hospice of the West, 21410 N. 19th Avenue, Suite 100, Phoenix, Arizona 85027 or the charity of your choice.
Sally will be deeply, deeply missed by her husband, her family and all who knew her.