Sarah 'Sally' Winn Schuneman

STERLING – Sarah "Sally" Winn Schuneman of Sterling passed away Monday, Aug. 6, 2012, at CGH Medical Center in Sterling, after a brief illness.

Sally was an active part of the Sterling community, with memberships in the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Philanthropic Educational Organization, the Episcopal Church Women and numerous bridge clubs, among other activities. However, the majority of her free time was spent on the Mississippi River, acting as co-pilot on a houseboat built entirely from scratch. Weekends found her on the river surrounded by friends and family, with her beloved dog, Grad, by her side.

But her true passion was teaching. More than a third of her life was spent in the classrooms at Woodlawn and Washington schools in Sterling. Students looked forward to being in her class, for she had a talent for making learning creative and fun.

Retirement did not end Sally's passion for teaching. She became an active volunteer for the adult literacy program Project VITAL, working with students for whom English was a second language. She freely admitted she learned at least as much from her students as they did from her. Even at the end, her desire to further education continued as, at her request, her body was donated to science for future study.

Sally is survived by her daughters, Jan Schuneman Roebuck of Springfield and Lauri Schuneman of Decatur; her son, the Rev. Steve (Annette) Schuneman of San Diego; her grandson, Nick Schuneman of San Jose, Calif.; significant other, William Griswold of Sterling; a sister, Bettie Winn Hill of Mountain View, Calif.; and two nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence and Dorothy Winn; and her husband, Robert George Schuneman.

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Grace Episcopal Church, 707 First Ave., Sterling, with a luncheon to follow.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established for Project VITAL through Sauk Valley Community College.