Sally Burnett Searle

1930 - 2021

Sally Burnett Searle

March 22, 1930 – May 2, 2021

Sally Burnett Searle, 91, passed away on May 2, 2021, in her Cotton Bay home of 41 years on the island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas. Mrs. Searle, an avid sportswoman, spent the day before doing one of her beloved activities, deep-sea fishing on her boat, the WilSal, landing six fish.

Mrs. Searle was born Sara Dallam Burnett in Evanston, IL on March 22, 1930, the middle daughter of Muscoe Burnett and Calvine Scott Burnett. She grew up in Winnetka, IL, where she attended North Shore Country Day School, then The Masters School in Dobbs Ferry, NY and Briar Cliff College in Briar Cliff Manor, NY. In 1953, she married William ("Bill") L. Searle, whose family owned and ran the GD Searle Pharmaceutical Company. They raised their family in Lake Forest, IL and later became residents of Elko, NV.

Sally was a true sport in the best sense of the word. She was an accomplished athlete, gaining national ranking in tennis. She remained a fierce yet fun-loving competitor all her life as a golfer, squash player, fine wing and rifle shot, accomplished angler, and lover of Labrador Retrievers. Bill and Sally enjoyed an active sporting and travel life together, sharing many adventures near and far until he predeceased her in 2004. They traveled all over the world, from safaris in South Africa, Botswana, East Africa and Asia to annual grouse and pheasant shoots in England, Scotland and Argentina. They spent their summers sharing the love of the outdoors with their children at Coleman Lake Club in Goodman, WI. In 1975, they acquired Maggie Creek Ranch in Elko, NV, where they have a nationally recognized cow-calf operation, utilizing state-of-the-art conservation practices across the land. Mrs. Searle called Elko home for over 30 years and was a proud member of the Elko community. Sponsoring the annual 4th of July fireworks simply as "my friend Sally" she was also a member of the Roses of the Range, a frequent supporter of the 4H fair and held her Elko family close to her heart.

Mrs. Searle was an active volunteer and benefactor of many philanthropic and conservation-oriented organizations, including but not limited to Lake Forest Open Lands, North Chicago Community Partners, Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Lincoln Park Zoo, The Field Museum, Lake Forest Garden Club, Ruffed Grouse Society, Shikar Safari Club International, Stratford Hall, Elko Boys and Girls Club, Western Folklife Center, The Island School and One Eleuthera Foundation. Sally was a long-time member of the Church of the Holy Spirit and the Onwentsia and Shore Acres clubs.

Sally will long be remembered as one of the greats. She leaves a legacy of loving and being loved by so many. She radiated fun with her wry and infectious sense of humor making anyone feel comfortable in her presence. Sally was a positive spirit inside and outside, a source of strength and comfort, and understatedly gracious and generous. Always ready to share her numerous stories, she was the consummate entertainer, full of life and happiness. She was passionate and genuinely kind, a cherished companion, and proud matriarch. Her life was a gift to us all.

She is survived by her three daughters, Marion ("Scotty") Searle, Elizabeth ("Betsy") Searle (Michael Branham), and Louise Klarr (Gunnar), 10 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her older sister, Bleecker Isham (Robert) and is survived by her younger sister, Calvine Bowen (Charles), as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services are pending. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to North Chicago Community Partners and the Boys and Girls Club of Elko.