After graduating from the Mercy School of Nursing as an RN in 1952, Sally enlisted in the Air Force as a First Lieutenant which included a two year tour in France.

Shortly after her service discharge, she moved to sunny Arizona. She attended classes while working in the infirmary at Arizona State University.

Sally lived nine of those very long years on the Arizona Apache Reservation. Her work experience included various hospitals, home visits, school nursing and mental health.

She is preceded in death by her 2 sisters and 3 brothers. She is survived by her loving husband of 59 years, Walter Birkner; her 2 children; her 2 grandchildren; her sister; and, many nieces and nephews.

Her family will be honoring Sally in a private ceremony. Sally was very generous and altruistic, the family requests you plant flowers and spend time with your family as a way to honor her.