Sally Ann (Jones) Michael

Sally Ann Michael was born on July 12, 1941 in Topeka, Kansas to Jess Lee Cowell and Jessie Mae Wells Cowell. Upon her father's early death, she was adopted by her step father, George M. Jones. Sally passed away peacefully on Friday, April 22, 2011 surrounded by her family.

Sally lived in Topeka, Kansas; Salinas, California; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and then returned to her home town of Topeka. She attended Topeka High School. She was a business manager for the office of Lawrence Smith, DDS; private secretary to the Very Reverend Leslie Skerry Olsen (Dean of Grace Episcopal Church); Teenage Program Director YWCA and a licensed real estate agent. Later in life she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work in 1988 from Washburn University with Summa Cum Laude, Social Work Department Honors, National Dean's List, Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society Member, and a Certificate in Drug and Alcohol Counseling. It was her lifelong dream to graduate from college and she did so with great personal satisfaction. Sally was extremely proud of that accomplishment as was her family. Upon graduation from WU, she was employed by Family Service and Guidance Center, SRS and Health Focus as a social worker. Sally will be remembered for her wonderful, infectious laugh, her gentle spirit and her kind heart. Sally was a joy to all whose lives she touched.

Sally married Tad Estes in 1959; they later divorced. She married Richard (Mike) Michael on December 21, 1973 in Salinas, California. He survives.
Her 69 years of life were interrupted by several major medical problems. These medical trials and tribulations, although serious, did not dampen her spirit or her positive attitude.

Sally was preceded in death by her parents and two older brothers, John Lee Cowell and Gary Jack Cowell and a son, Dean Jennings Michael.
Sally is survived by her three children, Kari Lynn Estes (Gale Myers), Tod Michael Estes and Shelli Dee (Mark) Mercer, her sister, Judy Kay (Jim) Nyman; seven grandchildren, Amber, Jasmine and Cody Myers, Jordan and Madison Mercer, and Robby and Jamie Michael; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A special thank you to Dr. Hurwitz and staff at the St. Francis Cancer Center and the very caring nurses and aids at Midland Hospice. It was a blessing for Sally to have been in their care.

A celebration of Sally's life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 26, 2011 at Penwell-Gabel Southwest Chapel, 3700 SW Wanamaker Road. Memorial contributions may be made in the name of Sally Michael to: St. Francis Cancer Center, 1700 SW 7th Street, Topeka, KS 66606 or to Midland Care Hospice Services, 200 SW Frazier Circle, Topeka, KS 66606.