Obituary of Sarah Jane Beals

Brewer - Sarah Jane "Sally" Turner (Ryder) Beals, 89, passed away August 28, 2024. She was born on December 4, 1934 in Presque Isle to Annie (Holmes) and Roy Ryder. She grew up in Blaine and Mars Hill where she graduated from Aroostook Central Institute as Valedictorian of her class of 1953. She married Parker Beals (USAF) and moved to Kansas where their daughter, Patti was born. They were later transferred back to Maine, where daughter, Stephanie and son, Brian joined the family. 

Sarah lived for many years in Holden and was the longest member at the Holden Congregational Church where she loved to sing in the choir with her good friend Ginny McGovern, served on many committees, worked at church suppers and made the famous peanut brittle at Christmas time. She was the cook at the Holden School, later worked in the office at Emple Knitting Mills and retired from Community Health and Counseling. After she moved to Brewer, Sarah volunteered at the Leach Home for more than 20 years. She thoroughly enjoyed holiday dinners at Brian & Shelly's house with family and was always ready for a road trip with Keith, Patti & Kelly. 

She is survived by her family, Patti Herrick & husband Keith of Otis, Stephanie Beals of Kenduskeag and Brian Beals & wife Shelly of Hampden; her grandchildren, Kelly Herrick, Carissa Look, Grant Beals, Jenifer Barnes and Thomas Cushman; her brother, A. Frederick Ryder & wife Vinh of Florida and her sister, Tammy Massengale of Mars Hill. She was predeceased by her parents, Annie & Roy; her sister Gladys Long; brother-in-law Clifford Long; and very special friends, Sheila Varnum, Jane Pierce and John Fletcher. The family would like to thank the Burr Home and The Lamp Memory Care Center for the loving care she received. 

Family and friends may visit 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM Wednesday, September 4, 2024 at Kiley & Foley Funeral Service, 69 State Street, Brewer where a service honoring her life will be held at 1:00 PM as the visitation concludes. Burial will be afterward at Harts Corner Cemetery, Holden. Messages and memories of Sally may be shared with her family on the tribute wall of kileyandfoley.com.