DiGAETANO, Sarah 'Sally' Jane (nee Jesty) - (1954 - 2021) -
“A happy family is but an earlier heaven.”
~ George Bernard Shaw
Surrounded by a great and loving family, Sally left us peacefully on January 29, 2021 following a courageous battle with cancer.
Known for her dynamic personality and caring nature, Sally was a strong and supportive presence in the lives of those she loved, and her loss is deeply felt by many.
Family was the central theme of Sally’s life; she experienced it in many forms, and it defines her remarkable legacy.
Born in Nova Scotia, Sally first experienced family during her early life in Cape Breton on Campbell’s Hill, where she was adopted by the Campbell family as an infant. A red-headed, freckle-faced ‘Tom Boy’ as a youngster, Sally was affectionately known by older brothers Hector and Chester as “little Joe”, a nickname that stuck for life.
When her adoptive mother Lizzie Campbell passed suddenly, Sally was blessed again, at the age of seven, to be adopted by her permanent family - loving parents, Anne and Dan Jesty. With the addition of a younger sister, Donna, Sally enjoyed a wonderful childhood in Ontario -- never wanting for anything. Life included many close friends and extended family. Anne and Dan surrounded Sally with a lifetime of constant love and support, a deep relationship that firmly entrenched the importance and strength of family for Sally.
In her early 20’s Sally was blessed to meet a beautiful man, Peter DiGaetano, who became her partner of 41 years. With Peter came the large DiGaetano family, and the addition of his siblings and spouses who treated Sally as one of their own; yet another extended family for her. Sally and Peter married in 1979 and soon began their own family.
Over the next four years, their two became five with the addition of Michael, Matthew, and Adam. Sally committed to motherhood full-time for her boys. As a stay-at-home mom, she was active in countless school functions and church events, and actively helped Peter with his company. Alongside Peter, Sally devoted all her adult years to the needs of her strong, remarkable sons, who brought her great happiness, and of whom she is incredibly proud.
As the boys grew, they met their life partners who would become the daughters Sally never had -- Sonia (Michael), Tanya (Matthew), and Melissa (Adam). Sally’s family grew yet again with the blessings of grandchildren who brought her immense joy, including Ava, Sebastian and Mattias, and her step-grandchildren Martina, Chelsea, Riley, and Walker.
Sally’s life story and legacy IS the story of family. While no longer physically with us, that love continues to resonate in the bonds of all those who were fortunate enough to be in one of her many family circles. Gratefully, Sally had her ‘earlier heaven’ in many happy families throughout her life.
Sally was known for her gift of conversation. And so, it is only appropriate that she have the final word here: “To all my family and friends – I love you. I will miss you and you will always live in my heart.” – Sally.
Due to Covid restrictions, a memorial mass will be held at a later date. Arrangements entrusted with Thompson funeral home, Aurora.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the Stronach Cancer Centre at Southlake Regional Health Centre, Newmarket would be appreciated by the family.
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