Sarah “Sally” Hadley
Sarah Jane “Sally” Hadley, 78, of LaGrange Park, IL, passed away after a brief battle with cancer on September 13, 2019 at her home, surrounded in love by family and friends. She was born May 3, 1941 to Roy O. and Evelyn Hadley of Westfield, IN.
She is survived by her Brother-in-law George Shapland, her Nephews, Charlie (Julie) Shapland of Sidney, IL, Mark Shapland of La Grange, IL, and Niece Laura Shapland (Brent Koester) of Mahomet, great nephews Nick Shapland; and, Dan, John and Drew Shapland, along with their mother, Debra Shapland; and, her great nieces, Hadley and Chloe Shapland. She was preceded in death by her sister, Nancy, and her parents, as well as her beloved Corgi’s, Sherman and Bolo.
Sally was loved beyond measure by her nieces and nephews, never missing a birthday or a special occasion. She welcomed people into her life and always made time for those who loved her – turning friends into extended family wherever she went. Her absence will leave a great void.
Growing up in Westfield, IN, Sally graduated from Westfield High School in 1959. She maintained close ties to family and friends in the area, attending class reunions and making visits as frequently as possible. The community involvement and presence of the Hadley family in Westfield was generously memorialized with the addition of the Roy O. Hadley Community Park in 1995 as a tribute to her father and is prominently featured at the intersection of E Main Street and Union.
Graduating from the University of Evansville in 1963, Sally went on to pursue her Master of Fine Arts in Speech at the University of Georgia where she graduated in 1966. She began her long and successful professional career in the classroom as Instructor of Speech Communication at College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, Illinois in 1968. Additionally, she was a dedicated extracurricular coach and advisor of the college Forensics team. Along with her close colleagues Jodie Briggs and Jim Collie, Sally guided the team to many competitive successes which brought recognition to the Speech Department and, more generally, to the College of DuPage.
Following her classroom teaching years, Sally decided in 1984 to direct her career at the College of DuPage to academic administration. She served as an Associate Dean in the Communications Division and later in the Humanities and Liberal Arts Division. Sally had a steadfast philosophy of service– to the students and faculty she worked with and to the overall welfare of the College. Sally was a firm but always fair administrator, and she gained the universal friendship and respect of the faculty she supervised and of her colleagues across all the departments of the College.
Sally enjoyed attending Chicago arts performances and was a multi-season subscriber to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Joffrey Ballet, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre and Steppenwolf Theatre. She also liked to discuss films — especially those that were serious — with friends.
A long-time resident and friend to many in West Chicago, Sally moved into Plymouth Place, a retirement community in La Grange Park, IL, in 2013. Sally quickly used her skills as an administrator and outgoing nature to both endear herself to her fellow residents, and to become a leader of the Plymouth Place community. Sally was President of the Residents’ Council, resigning only when she could simply not serve the residents to her liking just a week before her passing; and formerly served as Friendship Committee chair, a role that suited her well, as she helped many residents – with dog watching and errands and anything else to help where she could.
There will be a Memorial Service at Plymouth Place, 315 N. LaGrange Road, LaGrange Park, IL at 1:00 PM on Sunday, October 6, 2019, after which the family will receive visitors until 4:00 PM. Memorial donations may be made to Plymouth Place and The H Foundation (www.HFoundation.org) in Sally’s honor. For further information, call Hallowell & James Funeral Home, Countryside: (708) 352-6500
Loved the many years working with Sally in the division office. God bless you, Sally.
Heidemarie
Knowing Sally was a wonderful experience, I was honored to serve her in my role at Plymouth Place and to call her friend.
Sally will forever be my shining light, not only will she be remembered for her kindness to others but her strong laugh will be heard in the halls of Plymouth Place for years to come. She will be missed.
“When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight. ” – K. Gibran She will always be my delight. I miss you Sally.
I did not know that your supervisor could be your friend until I worked for Sally. At College of DuPage, her generosity and trust helped us succeed. And her humor and affection helped us live. We shall never forget.
Sally’s dad and my grandmother Fern Hadley Freeman were siblings in Westfield. I heard my dad Phil Freeman were good friends in their earlier days. I do geneology and had been trying to reach her.
May she find peace in her eternal rest.
Sally was my first boss at College of DuPage and her wisdom and encouragement have always been treasured. After my first in-class teaching observation she asked me, “Do you know how many times you said okay?” I shrugged my shoulders and she continued, “Try to think of another verbal cue.” Later that same week she left a note in my mailbox with her signature kindness, “Don’t worry, you got this kid!” I admired Sally for her leadership, fearlessness and academic prowess. She had a magnificent presence and I am so grateful for the legacy she left at College of DuPage. We adored Sally. She will be missed.
Farewell and God bless dear friend Sally. I’m thinking of all those COD years working office-by-office, side-by-side. When I arrived in the morning, you were already there–ready to share your “to do” list (some of which you had already done and checked off) You had that rock-solid Midwestern Indiana reliability. You had a true sense of fair play. Even more, you had a great kindness and compassion, always wanting to lift others up. Debby and I miss you so much– but we always still say, thank you Sally.
Sally was one of my forensics coaches at College of DuPage. She changed my life, by seeing in me what I could not see in myself. Practical, seamless advice showed up every time we talked. And I got better both at talking and listening with each interaction. She is loved, and will be missed. Kevin Murnane