Sally " Sarah" Ann Bush

Sally Ann Bush

Sally Ann Benjamin was born July 29, 1933 in Tacoma WA to loving parents Clarence and Inez Benjamin along with her sister Doris. Sally graduated from Lincoln High School in Tacoma, and she would be the first in her family to graduate from college. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Religious Studies from Willamette University in 1955. One week later, she married the love of her life Bill Bush. They were married for 68 years.

Sally and Bill lived in Corvallis until 1960, when they made their permanent homes in Olympia and Lacey. Sally worked as a secretary to help Bill through college. Sally and Bill would later adopt and raise four children and open their home to several foster children through the years. Sally was a generous giver of her time, her talent, and her gifts.

Sally was active in her church for nearly 65 years. She served on multiple church boards, including, Pastor Parish Relations, Church Preschool, Sunday School (teacher), and Visitation (new members). She was also an active volunteer in the greater community. Sally helped get the Meals on Wheels program up and running in Lacey, Olympia and other Thurston County locations. She gave her time and money to the Children’s Home Society of Washington, and she was a regular volunteer at the Olympia Blood Center.

Sally played an integral role in the HOLT Organization that provided critical child welfare and evacuation services during and after the fall of Vietnam. A little Vietnamese boy named Mark from this organization became very attached to Sally and stayed in our home until he was adopted by his forever family in Colorado.

Sally enjoyed decades of singing in her church choir and with the Panorama Chorus. She was a voracious reader and enjoyed a variety of subjects. She loved to knit and crochet, and a favorite pastime for many years was creating beautiful quilts for family, her friends and for those in need of comfort.

Sally was a devoted wife, mom and friend. After her husband, Bill passed away in 2023, Sally didn’t stop living, indeed, she continued to live life to the fullest. Still choosing to show up for the many hobbies, friends and activities she loved so much. She even traveled to Europe for a Viking River Cruise with her Panorama neighbors.

Sally lived the majority of her life, beginning in her early 20s, with painful Rheumatoid Arthritis, but she never complained, even when she had every reason to. She was a woman of deep faith, but she never formally preached or had to stand behind a pulpit to make it known in her life. Her life was a walking testimony of God’s love. She was accepting of ALL people even if she didn’t agree with them. She showed love and acceptance and value of others, and she will be loved and missed forever.

Sally is preceded in death by husband, (Bill), son (JD), parents (Clarence and Inez Benjamin) and sister (Doris). She leaves behind oldest son (Allan), middle daughter (Barb) and youngest daughter (Katherine). Sally also leaves behind three adult grandsons and six great grandchildren.

There will be a memorial service held in Sally's honor on Saturday, June 20, 2026, starting at 2:00pm at St. Andrews United Methodist Church - 540 School St in Lacey, WA. with a reception following.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to St Andrew’s United Methodist Church, or to the Thurston County Food Bank in her name.