Sally Logan Brown van Schaick

Sally Logan Brown van Schaick SchenectadySally Logan Brown van Schaick died April 5, 2013 just before her 91st birthday. Sally passed away at her home, after a long illness. She was a kind, loving, intelligent and caring mother and friend, and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. Sally was born in Great Neck Long Island on May 7th, 1922 to Mary Elizabeth Logan Brown, and Robert Cody Brown. She was predeceased by her parents; her sister, Nancy; her daughter, Holly, and her beloved husband, John H. van Schaick. Having married her husband of 68 years after a six week courtship during WWII, she and John settled in Schenectady after the war. In addition to raising her family, she co-wrote Over the Back Fence for the Gazette, a column on the tribulations of motherhood. She returned to college at Union to become its first woman baccalaureate in 1958, for which Mayor Sam Stratton made her a Schenectady Patroon. Upon graduation, she taught English and creative writing at Linton High School for 15 years. Sally and Johnny helped organize the teachers' union in Schenectady, and were instrumental in the strike of 1975 to improve teachers' jobs. She changed to teaching 4th and 5th grade at Zoller elementary, where she taught for 15 years. After retiring from public school teaching, she taught for two years at the Waldorf School in Saratoga Springs, which she said gave her the freedom to fully express herself as a teacher. She wrote a memoir, Sally's Last Year, for first year teachers. In 2003, she received an award from the NYS United Teachers for her union leadership and community service. For 15 years, beginning in 1957, Sally and Johnny opened their house every Sunday afternoon and evening to teenagers from the Unitarian Church. Dozens of young adults gathered at the dining room table, or relaxed in the living room, drinking tea and talking about everything imaginable. Several, with disrupted family lives, came to live with the van Schaicks; two met while visiting, married at a wedding at their home, and remain married 40 years later. Several of their own grandchildren came to live with them for extended periods, theirs was a loving home. Sally supported women's access to medical services, and for 18 years, served as a member of the Board of Directors of Planned Parenthood; she was an ardent supporter of the organization. Sally was also a passionate environmentalist, helping found the Environmental Clearinghouse of Schenectady, for which she wrote its newspaper column for several years. Active in local politics, Sally challenged incumbent James Tedisco for Assembly in 1990. In 1996, the Schenectady Democratic Party awarded her its Harry Truman award. In 2007, Mayor Brian Stratton made Sally a Schenectady Patroon for a second time. In 2010, the Schenectady Democratic Party awarded her its Lifetime Distinguished Service Award. Sally was active in the Schenectady County Historical Society, editing its newsletter, and cataloging historic records, and giving tours of the Society's Stockade center. She helped establish the Mabee Farm Historical Site, where as a docent she taught children about the colonial livelihoods in the Mohawk Valley. In 2009, the New Netherland Institute gave her an award for her contributions. Sally and Johnny loved road trips, visiting friends and family from Florida to California and points in between. They spent their sabbatical in the early 1971-72 in Mexico and Central America. In 1987, they traveled to the Netherlands with their grandson, Pallas, to conduct genealogical research. On their last trip in 2002, with their son, Peter, and his son, Alex, they retraced the routes Johnny had flown during WWII: up the slot of the Solomon Islands to the major supply base at Rabaul, Papua New Guinea. Sally is survived by her sons, Peter van Schaick, John K. Jake van Schaick (Fran), Derry Sontag (Tamara); and daughters, Nancy Fisher (David), Kate Dalby (Rick). Sally is survived by numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as foster children, cousins, nieces, nephews and many, many friends. One of Sally's last quips was that growing old is not for sissies! For those who were there for her in her last days, special recognition goes to Sally's friend, Dr. Wendy van Bellingham, who gave Sally loving care. Sally's final years at home would not have been possible without the care and devotion of her eldest son Peter, who moved in with her and organized Team Sally to provide her with companionship and care at home. Many thanks also go to the family, friends, and caregivers who made Sally's last years at home possible, with particular recognition to Sally's last best friend and caregiver, Sarah Miner. A memorial service will be held this summer. Sally's final gift was to the Anatomical Gift Program of Albany Medical Center. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in Sally's memory to Mohawk-Hudson Planned Parenthood, Schenectady Center, 1040 State Street, Schenectady, or the Schenectady County Historical Society, 32 Washington Avenue, Schenectady.