Sara Katharine "Sally" McBride

Sara "Sally" Katharine McBride (nee Proffitt), age 85, of Valparaiso, Indiana, formerly of Michigan City, Indiana, peacefully passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, at home, taking her final breath while listening to "Lamb of God." She was born Nov. 14, 1939, in Mason, West Virginia.

Surviving are her sister, Nancy Proffitt of Mason, West Virginia; three children, Julie (Dr. George) Kolettis of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Dr. Rob (Robyn) McBride of Valparaiso, Indiana, and Greg (Kristi Paull) McBride of Wilsonville, Oregon; seven grandchildren, Dr. George (Kara) Kolettis, Sara (Matt) Hansen, Nick (Katie) Kolettis, Dr. Rob (Dr. Chloe) McBride, Dr. Ryan McBride, Katie (Jared) Conroy and Becky (Brandon Bird) McBride; eight great-grandchildren; countless friends; and her beloved cocker spaniel, Belle. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Robert E. McBride; parents, Ray and Evelyn Proffitt; infant son, Mark; and brother, Jim Proffitt.

Sally graduated from Wahama Junior/Senior High School and enjoyed attending reunions and reconnecting with former classmates. She accomplished many things, but one thing she took great pride in was being a majorette. A portrait of her brother, a band member, and Sally in their uniforms provides a glimpse of who she was as a young woman.

During freshman orientation at West Virginia Wesleyan College, Sally met Bob. He immediately declared that, unlike her family and friends, he would call her "Sara" simply because she had crossed out "Sara" printed on her name tag and had handwritten "Sally." This bold declaration charmed the red-headed beauty, and seven months later, they eloped. Together they celebrated 55 years of marriage before his death.

After Bob graduated from college, they lived in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Texas before settling in Indiana, but Sally never forgot about West Virginia. When they moved to Valparaiso, she named the lower level her "West Virginia Room" as a tribute to the wild, wonderful state. Sally decorated this space with unique reminders of the beauty of the Ohio River, hills and waterfalls where she grew up.

Embracing her role as a homemaker, Sally rarely sat still. Her home was spotless and beautifully decorated at all times. Bob lovingly called her the "Energizer Bunny." Always on the search for a new recipe, Sally also appreciated family recipes like homemade noodles and chicken over mashed potatoes and Jello salads. She took meticulous notes, reflecting adjustments made to improve a recipe.

A meal at Sally's house was special: candles on the dining room table, dishes that changed with the seasons and quiet music playing in the background. Her Special K bars, German chocolate Easter egg cakes and cut-out cookies were family favorites. She often included these and other sweet treats in her legendary holiday boxes containing exquisitely wrapped individual gifts sent to family and friends at Halloween, Christmas, Valentine's Day and Easter. Adults, children and even family pets looked forward to the arrival of these boxes.

The FedEx employees knew this reserved, soft-spoken woman by name because of the regularity of her visits and the number of packages she shipped.

However, Sally didn't think of loved ones only during the holidays. She also wrote notes of encouragement or congratulations in flawless penmanship. A woman of faith, she sent numerous copies of devotions to family and friends. Her organizational skills were exceptional. A birthday card never arrived late. Christmas cards were handmade and addressed months in advance. Everything that she did, she did well and with love. Family was her number one priority, but her definition of family was broad and included many.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, Jan. 25, at 10 a.m. at Valparaiso First United Methodist Church, 103 Franklin St., Valparaiso, Indiana. Pastor Jared Kendall will officiate the worship service at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery, 1420-1532, IN-2, Valparaiso, IN 46385.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Sally's memory to Valparaiso First United Methodist Church or Dunes Hospice. The family would like to express a special thanks to her caregivers and hospice support team for their loving, compassionate care.