Sally L. Occhialino

Sally L. Occhialino, age 70, an Albuquerque resident since 1977, died on January 16, 2015 at her home with her family after battling cancer. Born on January 6, 1945, Sally was the daughter of Joseph and Hazel La Forte. Sally is survived by her husband, Mario "Ted" Occhialino of Albuquerque; her children, Lisabeth Occhialino and husband Bruce Stimpson of Leesburg, VA, Anne Noel Occhialino and husband Jonathan Gannon of Silver Spring, MD, and Edward Occhialino and wife Amy of Portland, OR; her beloved brother, William La Forte and wife Ann of Rochester, NY; and her father, Joseph of Juno Beach, FL. Treasured grandchildren are Charlie and Sally Rose Stimpson, Kate and Nora Gannon, and twins, Mario and Dante Occhialino. Sally graduated from Poughkeepsie (NY) High School and from Mount Holyoke College, where she majored in philosophy and studied ancient Greek culture and language. While at Mount Holyoke, she met classmates Ellen Grove Petrone and Judy Rose Scheibe who became dear, life-long friends. After marrying Ted, a law professor, she worked at Harbridge House Consulting Group in Boston. Ted and Sally then relocated to Syracuse, NY where their children were born. Sally was known throughout the neighborhood as serving the best peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to the children who flocked to her home to play. In 1977, Ted and Sally moved to New Mexico. Although Sally was an East Coast gal, she bloomed in the desert. She served as the president of the Osuna Elementary School PTA, volunteered often at the Albuquerque Academy and with the symphony, was an active faculty wife, and made a wide network of friends. She later became an Academic Advisor at the Anderson School of Management at the University of New Mexico, where numerous students benefited from her wise counsel and warm support. Sally enjoyed traveling, and Ted's academic career took them to Maine, New Hampshire, New York City, Canberra, Australia and Washington D.C. for extended stays. She especially enjoyed visiting France and Ted's ancestral home of Lucca, Italy. Sally loved champagne, raspberries, bunnies, and a good party. She was an avid reader and liked to discuss politics and the New York Times' latest editorial. Sally made everything special; whether a holiday table or a well-wrapped gift, she made it memorable and unique. Sally was a superb cook and a gracious hostess who could whip up a dinner for twelve guests with an hour's notice from Ted. For Sally, Christmas was not just a holiday, but an event! She was well known for her annual Christmas party with traditional off-key singing at the piano, and she thrived on staying up all night wrapping gifts on Christmas Eve and then serving an elaborate champagne brunch on Christmas Day. Sally believed in dining only by candlelight, which is a view several grandchildren now share. Sally lived the last year of her life after her diagnosis the same as she lived all her other years: with dignity, grace and good humor, and on her own terms! Sally was a warm and generous friend; an outstanding wife, mother, sister, daughter, and grandmother; and a joy to know. Although we dearly wish Sally's life could have gone on a bit longer, we are filled with gratitude for the truly wonderful life she led and our chance to be part of it. A Memorial Service will be held Sunday, February 1, 2015, 12:00 p.m., at the UNM Alumni Chapel, on the campus of the University of New Mexico with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, a donation in Sally's name may be made online to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (jdrf.org). FRENCH - Wyoming 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE (505) 823-9400