Sallie L. Witter

1920 - 2013

Sallie L. Witter obituary, 1920-2013, CARMEL VALLEY, CA

BORN

1920

DIED

2013

Sallie Witter Obituary

CARMEL VALLEY – Sallie L. Witter, 92, beloved Carmel Valley kindergarten teacher and mentor, died on August 18, 2013 after many years of declining health.
A Carmel Valley resident since 1958, Sallie was a creative and visionary teacher who designed a unique kindergarten building for Tularcitos Elementary School in Carmel Valley that was scaled to a 5-year-old's perspective. The building and her innovative classroom program received widespread acclaim and drew visiting school administrators and teachers from throughout the state in the 1960s and '70s.
After retiring from teaching in 1981, she took up a second career at the Carmel Valley branch of the Monterey County Library. She worked there until a stroke in 1996 abruptly changed the rest of her life.
Sallie was born in Berkshire, NY, on December 5, 1920, the youngest of five children of DeBert and Lena May Witter. She was a graduate of Penn State University and earned a master's degree from the Harvard School of Education. She traveled extensively in Europe, often visiting early childhood education programs, and enjoyed a memorable safari in Africa.
She was a founding member of St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church in Carmel Valley and an active parishioner for over 50 years. A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held at St. Dunstan's on Saturday, September 21, at 11:00 a.m. A brief committal service will follow at the columbarium adjacent to the church, with a reception afterwards in Brock Hall.
Sallie is survived by a sister, Miriam Witter Walton, of Tunkhannock, PA, and four nieces. She was predeceased by her parents; sisters, Frances Knapp and Kathryn Coleman; and her brother, George Daniel Witter.
Memorial contributions in Sallie's name may be made to St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 101, Carmel Valley, CA 93924, and directed for St. Andre's School in Haiti, a ministry of St. Dunstan's that was dear to Sallie.

Published by Monterey Herald on Sep. 15, 2013.
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Memories and Condolences
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To a great wonderful kindergarten teacher. I was in her first class - pictured in Cynthia's comments- my daughter was in her very last class she ever taught. Living a few houses from her the treats she gave out at Halloween! She dressed up as a ghost when my kids went to her door. I heard that she loved teaching kindergarten because the kids were all shorter then she was. Sallie was to good to be forgotten

Kathy Bishop Little

September 21, 2013

Words cannot truly convey the deep sense of gratitude I have for the beloved Miss Witter. She set a habit of love for learning that has lasted me my whole life. I was in her 1959-1960 class and my memories of that year are amazingly sharp: music, art, reading, plants, animals, play, sharing - every day was special. I can see her in my minds eye as she was 54 years ago, with her big smile that let you know you were special. Thank you, Miss Witter, for sharing your unique spirit with all of us children. Love you for always.

Alba Arboleda Gross

September 20, 2013

Tim pretty much summed it up. What a blessing to have her for our first teacher at Tularcitos. She will never be forgotten by so many. Ms. Witter, you gave us all such a great education foundation and loved us unconditionally, for that you will remain in our hearts and minds forever. Much love and respect!

Stacie "Weber" Crane

September 19, 2013

Miss Witter, spry and energetic until late in life. More than just a teacher, she was one of us as well as the leader of the pack. Our own mothers brought us into the world, then Sallie introduced it to us. Playtime was different then, hammers, nails, blocks of wood and 3 wheeled race bikes. Somehow we survived playtime without OSHA or oversight committees. Our imaginations never grew stagnant with Sallie Witter at the helm. She never forgot a student even as they morphed into adults. She could pick us out of a crowd, each by name and usually with a sidebar comment referencing our character to the tea. Sallie became our friend as we raised families, even available to witness our grandchildren.
Thank you Sallie Witter for blessing us and leading us into the scary world of first grade. I will miss you.

Tim McFaddan

September 19, 2013

I was fortunate enough to have Miss Witter as my kindergarten teacher and I adored her!! She made every day interesting and fun and made each child feel loved. I didn't want to leave her classroom for first grade when the time came! She was adorable in every way and my heart goes out to her family. How dearly she must be loved by them and how greatly she shall be missed.

Marian (Doud) Plastini

September 18, 2013

Miss Witter was the best introduction to school a child could hope for. I was in her class in 1963-64 and I remember her fondly to this day. Wish I had my first day of kindergarten photo with my best friend Marian to post.

Anne Meyer

September 17, 2013

I remember Sallie L. Witter so well as if it were just the other day...
God Bless you ... each and every day... Prayers are with you as I think about you each day....
I will miss you so much... and will always remember your picture.

Denise Marie McFaddan - Rojas

September 17, 2013

What a great teacher, she will always be remembered in my heart. Here is a photo of my class she never changed much.

Cynthia Scardina (Machado)

September 16, 2013

I cried unconsolingly on my first day of kindergarten. Miss Witter gently pried me loose from Mom's ankle, lifted me off the floor and sat me on her lap, telling me that everybody is frightened sometimes; even heroes are scared but they go ahead anyway and do what they need to do. Her lesson in courage has stayed with me throughout my life.

Michele Bottaro

September 15, 2013

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