Sally R. Eldred, 89, died peacefully in her sleep on Monday, August 31, 2026, after a brief stay in palliative care. Sally was the middle of “the Rose girls,” born to the late Everitte and Margaret (Taylor) Rose of Franklin, New York, growing up on the family farm up on the hill. She graduated in 1955 from Delaware Literary Institute, as the high school in Franklin was then known, and in 1958 she graduated from Wilson Nurses’ Training School with her RN. She married F. Donald Eldred of Oneonta in 1960, and after moving to Vestal, Sally became a mother and homemaker, raising their two daughters while taking prudent care of her family and home on a schoolteacher’s salary.
Knowing of her salvation in Jesus alone, Sally grew as a believer from the Biblical teaching of several area pastors, years of Bible studies, and her own desire to live for Jesus. As a student in an evangelism class, she learned methods to share the gospel and communicated God’s truth in letters and conversations to point people to faith in Christ. To hear of others getting saved or living for Christ, whether in her church, family, or circle of friends, gave her much joy.
Through the years, Sally found many ways to help others. She developed a passion in helping breastfeeding mothers as a leader of several local La Leche League support groups. This turned into statewide administrative support in later years, while still helping hundreds of mothers over the telephone. She even traveled to Chicago and Toronto for the group’s annual conventions. Sally was part of several knitting groups, spent time working with ladies at her church providing needs for overseas missionaries, and countless hours with her grandchildren teaching them how to knit and make cranberry relish, watching them at sporting events and recitals, and making them grilled cheese sandwiches.
While struggling with the effects of dementia, Sally’s helpful spirit still shone. She never tired of helping others even while she lived at Elderwood Village. Her joy was to be of use to others and told many how she helped one of the residents put on his sweater, talked to her lady friends, or comforted a new friend in her village.
Sally was known for keeping in touch by letter and phone with those in her extended family, friends from high school and nursing school, friends gained through the years, and missionaries serving around the world. She kept up on current events and was known to tell you what she thought about current issues, local or national. She participated in two senior groups and after learning the basics of Pickleball, she bought herself a racket and some new sneakers. After her daughters left for college, she took piano lessons and a cake decorating class.
Sally is survived by her daughters Lydia (Todd) Farr, and their children, Zoee (Brandon) and Brennan (Abbi); and Sarah (Jeff) Hadley and their children, Carl, Emma (Matthew), George, William, Margaret, Eleanor, and Henry; and one great-grandson Edward she sweetly called “that boy” whenever she saw his picture. She is also survived by her older sister Shirley Finch, and brother-in-law Bill Eldred. Sally is pre-deceased by her husband and her sister Susan Mosher.
A service honoring Sally’s life and faith in her Savior will be held at CalTab Church, 729 Main Street, Vestal, New York, at noon, Saturday, September 12, 2026. Visiting hours with the family begin at 10am before the service. A private burial will be held in Franklin, New York, at a later date. https://www.barbermemorialhome.com/obituaries/Sally-R-Eldred?obId=49412488
