Sally was born at home in Lucerne Valley, Ca. to Clarence and Dorothy Donaldson joining 5 siblings; Mildred, Josephina (Betty), Irene, Donald, and Emma May. Janet came later. She attended Midway Elementary, Victor Valley, and North Hollywood High Schools and upon graduating moved to Montrose, Ca., where she worked for the Glendale Public Library. She met and married Richard (Dick) Emerson at the Church of the Light Window “CLW” (Now La Canada Congregational Church). Sally and Dick moved to Pomona, Ca. while he attended California State Polytechnic College and completed his degree in Engineering. Sally also received a degree from California State Polytechnic College a PHT otherwise known as Pushing Hubby Through. During this time Sally worked for the Pomona Public Library. After Richard’s Graduation, they returned to the La Crescenta/Montrose area. They had two children, Thomas and Carol, and moved to La Canada in the late 1960’s. Her lifelong interest in Genealogy was encouraged by her sister, Betty. She joined the Southern California Genealogical Library (SCGS) sometime in the sixties, volunteering as a clerk, and librarian and becoming a member of the Board of Directors. She also was a member of various committees and Interest Groups. Her longest tenure was as the Cataloger, (only stopping because of the Covid 19 lockdown), and on the Book Acquisition Committee, specializing in the Eastern U.S. Their association with SCGS started in her sister’s basement where they mimeographed the first edition of the Searcher. She was also instrumental in helping her sister publish the Geneology of the Rufert Family. Sally was a volunteer at Paradise Canyon Elementary as a teacher’s aide. She also volunteered at CLW as a Sunday School teacher, as the Historian, and Wedding hostess. She held several positions in church leadership as well. Sally dedicated more than 40 years to the church. She and the family hosted an International Christian Youth Exchange (ICYE) student from Germany, Christoff, (Chris) whose family became and remains a part of their extended family. This experience sparked an interest in travel, and she and Dick traveled to over 20 countries. She never forgot to include genealogical research when traveling where possible. Sally was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). She served as Regent, publisher of the Yearbook, and several other positions. Sally also served as a member of PEO, publishing their yearbook as well. She and Richard served as election poll workers until the long hours became too much. She is survived by Richard, her husband of 62 years, her daughter, Carol, and her husband Karl, their children, Sean, Matthew, and Stephanie Eriksen and the Radbruchs, Chris, and Barbara. Silka, and Jonhas and their children, her ‘great-grandchildren’. Her involvement and support of the community, CLW, SCGS, DAR, PEO, and the lives of her family added to the richness of her and her family’s life. She is and will be missed.
A memorial service will be held at La Canada Congregational Church on January 20th at 1:30 pm with a reception following.
