Sally Anne Walker

Sally Anne (Terrell) Walker passed away early morning February 5th, 2023 from cancer. She died at home with her daughter Teri by her side. She was 67 years old. Sally is survived by her husband Ed Walker, her brother Richard Terrell (Carol), her children Bob Walker (Vickie Havens), Tina Keeney, Teri Walker, grandchildren Haley Walker, Ethan Walker, Grant Appleton, Gracie Appleton, Winter Keeney, Willow Keeney and step grandsons Kade Walker, and Griffin Appleton, along with 7 nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father Charles J. Terrell, brother Robert (Bob) J. Terrell, and son Grant W. Walker. Sally was born in Glenwood Springs, CO November 9th, 1955. She was proud to be a 4th generation native to the Silt/New Castle area. She didn’t have an easy childhood, but grew up in a family who fostered her love of wildlife and the beauty of the mountains. She moved around a lot with her family because her Dad was a trapper for the State of Colorado, but would settle in New Castle living with her grandparents so she could go to school. She especially enjoyed spending time with her Dad. She lost her brother Bob to a car accident when he was 18 years old in 1971. She graduated from Rifle High school in 1974, that same year she married Ed. She had Bob the next year and was surprised to have twins Tina and Teri in 1978. Her baby Grant was born in 1983, whom she tragically lost to a snowmobiling accident, caused by an avalanche, when he was 18 in 2002. Ed and Sally farmed and ranched many large properties and spent most of her time caring for her kids and the properties. There was a time that she loaded and fed 202 bales a day all by herself one Winter. She would spend many sleepless nights with the animals lambing and calving. She raised her kids to have integrity, independence, confidence, and a strong work ethic. Sally was always busy and known for her own work ethic. Her illness was first noticed by her family when she wasn’t keeping as busy working and for not having as many projects. Sally was an avid historian and spent many hours researching and documenting her own family tree. Her compilation of that history is quite extensive. She loved a good story and believed that in the end we all just become stories. Sally loved animals, wildlife, flowers, photography, gardening, reading, and raising sheep. She liked irrigating and watching things grow. Sally enjoyed crafts, cooking and canning. She was also known for her “Terrell” temper and was often quick to anger. She had a bit of a mean streak, but she was also the go to person for her kids and grandkids. She would drop everything to help family or a friend. She was a compassionate caregiver and her grandkids often would prefer to be with Grandma when they were ill. She especially loved all of her grandchildren and had special connections to her oldest grandchild Haley, (who called her “Mom” because to her that was Grandma’s name), grandson Grant and her mini-me Willow. She would drop everything for Grant if he needed a ride, wanted her to take videos and photos of him riding his dirt bike, or wanted her to call him out of school (regardless of what his Mom or Dad thought.) Willow definitely matches Sally’s independent strong-willed attitude and really enjoyed spending time at Grandmas. They were two peas in a pod. Sally deserved less tragedy and trauma in her life. She was a reflection of all of her experiences, but never made excuses. She was loved and will be dearly missed. She knew life isn’t fair and cancer really sucks. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Silt Historical Society or the Union Divide Creek Cemetery. She is also donating her local history books to the Silt library for others to enjoy. Her family is having a memorial gathering Sunday, February 12th, at the New Castle Community Center 2pm-4pm. There will be beverages and desserts. Bring a dessert if you’d like. The family will later put her headstone at Union Divide Creek Cemetery in Silt between her brother and son and bury or spread her ashes this summer in a private ceremony.