Sally Hanlon

Sally Hanlon, 81, died at the Elizabeth Seton Memory Care Center at Caritas Christi, Greensburg, PA on January 26.th She was the fifth child born to William and Frances Sheehan Hanlon. From her early childhood it was obvious that she had many gifts | intellect, musical ability and artistic talent. She flourished in the Needham, MA Public Schools, graduating in 1953, and received a scholarship to Notre Dame of Maryland in Baltimore. After graduation she taught for a few years in Massachusetts, then felt called to work in Las Cruces, New Mexico. In the early sixties she was chosen by Archbishop Cushing to be the first Papal Volunteer from the Boston Archdiocese and was sent to Lima, Peru. In 1963 she entered the Maryknoll Sisters with whom she had ministered in Peru. During her years with Maryknoll she served in Bolivia and Peru. During all this time her facility with languages enabled her to communicate with people she met from other Central and Latin American countries. She felt an affinity with those whom she served and made lifelong friends. By the late Seventies Sally felt God inviting her to use her gifts and experiences in serving as a medical interpreter at La Clinica del Pueblo in Washington, D.C. She soon became an integral part of the community there | serving as a translator for Dr. Juan Romagoza, interpreting at the United Nations and on National Public Radio. She lived with various immigrant families and DC friends. Sally was an active member of Sacred Heart Church and worked for social justice through her artwork and her presence in local and international activities. In addition to her role at La Clinica, she was integrally related to those from La Casa | an interfaith group of persons combining their skills in the service of the poor and underserved through prayer and action. Sallys heart was bonded with the mission of both La Clinica and La Casa and, when they recently combined their services, her two mission-driven loves became one. Sally was preceded in death by her parents Frances and William Hanlon, her siblings Nancy Hanlon (and William) Mitchell and Joan E. Moylan. She is survived by Mary Lou (and Arthur) Poisson, Fr Berard (Chip) Hanlon, OFM and Sr. Colette (Susie) Hanlon, SC, as well as 5 nieces and 3 nephews, 4 grandnieces and 2 grandnephews and one great-grandnephew. Her many friends and colleagues were an enormous gift to her and she cherished their faithful companionship and support over the years. Sallys family is profoundly grateful to the Sisters of Charity for welcoming her into Caritas Christi three and a half years ago, to the administration and staff of the Elizabeth Seton Memory Care Center who loved and cared for her and to the incredibly kind Heartland Hospice nurses and aides who made sure her final months were peaceful. Sally requested a direct cremation and burial in her parents plot in Vermont where the family will celebrate a Memorial Mass in the summer when Fr. Chip is home from Brazil. A Memorial Mass was offered at Caritas Christi on Tuesday, Feb.7th, for the Sisters of Charity and employees who welcomed her into their family these last few years. Her colleagues and friends from La Clinica, La Casa and other groups celebrated her life in DC on Sunday, February 26th at La Clinica del Pueblo | La Casa site. Prayerful remembrance through living out one of Sallys calligraphy messages would be appreciated: Loves life tasks: Trust God. Serve neighbor. Tend creation. If desired, donations may be made to the Elizabeth Seton Memory Care Center, 144 De Paul Center Road, Greensburg, PA 15601 or to La Clinica del Pueblo, 2831 15th St, NW, Washington, DC 20009.