Sally Lyding

1928 - 2021

Sally Walker Lyding
October 24, 1928 - October 13, 2021
Sally Lyding passed away peacefully on October 13th. Angels in heaven are wishing her a Happy 93rd Birthday today. Sally was the only child of Helen and George Walker and lived in Berkeley, CA, next door to her aunt and uncle, where Sally was raised like a princess by four adoring parents.

Fondest childhood memories include being both a camper and counselor at the Four Winds Camp, where she met her life-long friend, Laura Waste. Sally graduated from Berkeley High School followed by UC Berkeley, where she joined the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and was a proud graduate of the Class of 1950. When it came time to organize its 50th Class Reunion, Sally was quick to raise her hand and was a vital contributor to the success of the event, raising funds and celebrating the Blue and Gold.

In 1955, Sally and her family moved from Berkeley to Orinda where she raised her two children, Susan Peacock (Steve) and Charles "Chip" Wiser (Jane). A single mom at the time, Sally was joined by her parents who moved in to help raise the children. As a life-long advocate of women's equality in the workplace, Sally was ahead of her time as a working woman. Her career began at UC Berkeley in 1956. In 1960 she was hired as a clerk at Kaiser Industries, elevating her status to Exec. Assist. before leaving in 1974. She then worked at Bechtel Corp. for two years, leading their United Way Bond Issue campaign. Following Bechtel, she worked for four years at AMPCO Foods as Admin. Assist.

In 1976 Sally married Piedmont resident, Jack Lyding. Sally and Jack made a handsome couple who shared a love for their alma mater attending Cal football games and Band concerts, travelling the world, and playing golf and tennis. They moved to Orinda in 1979. Sally became a member of the Orinda Garden Club, and she and Jack were active at the Orinda Country Club for over 30 years.

Sally loved a good party and was always perfectly dressed. Announcing her arrival at family gatherings with "here we are," all knew that the party could begin! Notorious for giving long toasts, she would highlight everyone in the room. Sally adored her grandchildren: George and Katie Peacock; Ali, Emily, and Charlie Wiser; and Sarah, Carolyn, Jaime, Kelly, and Jack Lyding, and lived to welcome several great-grandchildren. Lovingly known as Gramma Sal, she celebrated Christmas in her special holiday sweaters, loved a beautifully set table, and appreciated a glass of bubbly to start the evening.

Sally's final years were spent at Rossmoor following Jack's death in 2012. She was forever grateful for the loyal service and friendship of Fanny Herrera over the years. Many thanks to Hope Hospice, Bay City Seniors Care Service, and members of the staff at Byron Park who were at her side for the last months of her life.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, Dec. 18th at 11:00 AM at the Lafayette Orinda Presbyterian Church, 49 Knox Drive, Lafayette, CA 94549. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hope Hospice, 6377 Clark Ave., Suite 100, Dublin, CA, 94568, or to the Orinda Garden Club, PO Box 34, Orinda, CA 94563 or www.orindagc.org.