Sally was born July 31, 1937, in Hornell, NY, the daughter
of the late William L. and Irene (Brokaw) Lippert. On September 13, 1957, in
Greenwood she married Richard H. Ewell, who survives.
Sally’s greatest joy in life was her family – she will be
greatly missed by all those who loved her. She made sure her family knew how
proud she was of them. Sally was the life of the party, making sure those
around her were always having fun and feeling loved. She even enjoyed being
picked on by her grandchildren because as she would say, “Teasing is a sign of
affection.” Sally’s Christian faith was important to her throughout her life.
She was very proud to convert to Catholicism under Monsignor Vincent “Father
Vince” Becker at Immaculate Conception Church in Wellsville.
Sally’s childhood years in Greenwood were very special and
formative. Her family loved hearing stories about her parents’ grocery store.
At Lippert’s Store she worked alongside her mom and dad as a child running the
cash register, learning to make change, eating copious amounts of ice cream
(which she continued virtually every night for the rest of her life), and
getting to know everyone in town. She loved Greenwood and its people, visiting
them frequently throughout her lifetime.
She was a graduate of Greenwood High School, where she
proudly earned the rank of valedictorian of her senior class. At age 16, Sally
attended Geneseo State Teachers College and later taught in Arkport, Canisteo,
Town of Tonawanda, Owego, Wellsville, and finally during her retirement years
at Cracker Trail Elementary School in Florida.
Sally had a passion for positively impacting the lives of
those she encountered, including her family, friends, students, and anyone
needing a helping hand. To this day, former students will stop Sally’s family
and tell them, “Mrs. Ewell was my favorite teacher,” and give an example of how
she made a difference in their life. This always made Sally feel so proud; she
truly loved all her students. She was also (according to her) the undefeated
arm-wrestling champ against the 5th grade boys that she taught.
Sally and her sister Suzanne lost their parents at a young
age and were “adopted” into the Chaffee family of Greenwood. Irene and Lloyd
Chaffee embraced them as daughters, while also filling the grandparent role for
Sally and Sue’s children.
Sally is survived in addition to her husband by a son, Rich
(Gabrielle Hart) Ewell of Wellsville, a daughter, Cynthia (Thomas) Hart of
Pittsburgh, PA, grandchildren Emily (Landon) Shupe of Lake Wylie, SC, Rich
(Lydia Gosson) Ewell of Webster, NY, Brady (Amy) Hart of Knoxville, TN, Brook
(Caitlin) Hart of Philadelphia, PA and Meghan Hart of Pittsburgh, PA. Great grandchildren Thomas “TJ” Hart, Riley
Mae Hart and baby boy Shupe on the way, her sister Suzanne Palmer of Sebring,
Florida (Sally’s little sister and best friend), Suzanne’s sons Todd (Michelle)
Palmer of Murfreesboro TN and their daughters Natalie and Isabel, Michael
(Scott Dolny) of Boston MA, beloved sister-in-law Barbara Ewell of Vermont, and
her children Karen and Bob Jr. In addition to her parents, Sally was
predeceased by her brothers-in-law Ed Palmer and Bob Ewell.
Sally spent the last few years of her life residing at
Highland Park in Wellsville where she received unbelievably wonderful care and
love from so many residents and caregivers. For this, the family is eternally
grateful. She always looked beautiful when anyone stopped in for a visit
because of the stellar care by the Highland staff. We know that Sally
appreciated this very much.
A celebration of life is being planned for a later date. The
burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery. Please consider memorial donations to the
Greenwood Volunteer Fire Department and the Hart Comfort House. To leave online
condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.
