Sally J. Vavala

Sally J. Crandall Vavala, 74, of Boone Mountain Road Kersey PA, passed away on Friday, August 23, 2024, after a lengthy battle with cancer. 

She was born May 6, 1950 in Westfield, New York to Clyde and Lois (Wester) Crandall. 

Sally graduated valedictorian of Sherman Central High School in 1968. She received her Bachelor's degree (1972) in Elementary Education from SUNY Oswego, her Masters Degree (1974) and Doctorate of Philosophy in Human Development and Family Studies in 1982 from the Pennsylvania State University one week before giving birth to her third child.

Sally was an assistant Professor of Human Development and Family Studies at Penn State University, DuBois campus for 25 years. She was the faculty advisor for the HDFS club and the head of her department for many years and was also the pianist for the Penn State DuBois Choir. Sally was the organist for the Grace Episcopal Church, Ridgway, for over 30 years.

She accompanied for numerous choirs and soloists, and played the organ and piano for many area concerts, weddings, school functions, and events for over 30 years, touching many lives through her music.

Sally married Paul J. Vavala September 12, 2009, who survives. Sally is also survived by her children, Mary (Horsey) Miller and her husband Chris Miller of Albuquerque NM, and Katie (Horsey) Crandall and her husband John Sterbank of Brockport, PA and her stepdaughter Jennifer Vavala of Irvine, California. She is also survived by 4 grandchildren, Jason (12) and Ryan (10) Miller of Albuquerque NM, and Emily (8) and Lily (5) of Brockport PA. She is also survived by one sister, Mary Edwards of Boulder, CO and one brother Dale Crandall of Sherman, NY, and several nieces and nephews. She is also survived by two loving cats, Fletcher, and Jack Benny. 

In addition to her parents, Sally was preceded in death by her son Peter D. Horsey (29) and a sister Phyllis Rothfuss, and brother-in-law, Richard Rothfuss, of Rochester, NY.

Sally's main love was being with her family. Sally was central to her grandchildren's lives and took care of them multiple days per week until she was unable, due to Cancer. Sally always described her children and grandchildren as the "light of my life". Playing games, reading books, sledding, painting, crafting, building indoor forts, nature walks, and wagon rides were part of daily life. Sally and Paul's house is filled with artwork of her children and grandchildren, and pictures of adventures she went on with them. Sally was most herself when with her family.

Sally was a faithful member of Grace Episcopal Church for many years and her faith brought her strength. Sally enjoyed watching the birds and reading good books.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Sally J. Vavala will be held on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, at the Grace Episcopal Church, 216 Center Street, Ridgway, PA 15853 at 10:00 AM, with Fr. Timothy Dyer officiating.

Burial will follow in the Sherman Cemetery, Sherman NY.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, at the Krise Funeral Home, 130 Center Street, Ridgway, PA 15853 from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM.

Krise Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 130 Center Street, Ridgway, PA 15853 is handling the arrangements and online condolences may be offered to the family at www.krisefuneralhome.com