Sara "Sally" Lytle

Sara (Sally) Gates Lytle passed away on December 23, 2011 after a brief illness. She was a gracious and gifted conversationalist to the end. Sally greatly enjoyed the visits of so many friends and family members during her final few days when she could talk and reminisce with so many of you.

Sara Catherine (Gates) Lytle. Sally Lytle was born in Monticello, Arkansas on June 8, 1923 to Dr. Stanley Matthews Gates and his wife Sara. She married Marine Lieutenant Jack T. Lytle of Newark, Ohio on June 26, 1944. Lieut. Lytle was briefly stationed at the Arkansas A&M University Campus before shipping out for duty in WWII. Sally is survived by her sister Eleanor Rose Steward (Little Rock, AR) two adult children Christopher G. Lytle (Chicago, IL) and his wife, Sarah McCann and Mark W. Lytle (Bexley, OH) and his wife Pam. There are two grandchildren, Jessica Lytle Price of Bexley and her husband Joshua Price and Timothy Lee Lytle of Chicago. She loved and loved spoiling her great grandchild Bailee Rebecca Price of Bexley, OH. Two brothers Stanley Gates and John Gates preceded her in death.

Sally moved to Newark during WWII and lived with her mother-in-law Helen M. Lytle and her husband's Aunt Gertrude May Lytle in their home on Jefferson Road. When the War ended the newly married couple moved into an apartment on Quentin Road across from Roosevelt School.

Sally worked at Owens-Corning Fiberglas until her husband returned from the War and Jack went to work for the E.T. Rugg Company and the couple started their family.

Jack and Sally were married for 64 years and were long-time members of 2nd Presbyterian Church in Newark until joining Granville Presbyterian about 7 years ago. They enjoyed a long "retirement" spending twenty-five summers at their little log cabin in Boothbay Harbor, ME where they were active in the Congregational Church of Boothbay Harbor.

She was an avid bridge player and wiped out entire fortunes of less skillful players. She was a longtime member of the 20th Century Club and often spoke of how much she enjoyed attending the club's "Monday Talks" during parts of seven decades. She had recently joined the Newark YMCA where she walked her 18-minute mile often passing younger exercisers. She stayed active, interested and connected throughout her eighty-eight year life.

Sally volunteered at the Big Brothers, Big Sisters office in Newark during the 1980s and was proud to have served on the board of Licking Memorial Hospital. Additionally, she volunteered at Licking County Food Pantry and was concerned with helping feed hungry people in the area. She greatly enjoyed visiting nursing homes and hospitals and made her rounds every week. She enjoyed many rich friendships with her contemporaries and the many "younger" people who found her a joy to visit. She never tired of talking politics and was just finishing Chris Matthews's new book on John F. Kennedy on her Kindle at the time of her death.

A memorial service celebrating Sally's life will be held at 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, December 28, 2011 at First Presbyterian Church, 110 W. Broadway, Granville with the Rev. Karen J. Chakoian as celebrant.

Arrangements are in the care of McPEEK-HOEKSTRA FUNERAL HOME in Granville. To ensure family receipt, please express all online condolences at www.mcpeekhoekstra.com.

In lieu of flowers, her family asks that you make a contribution to the Licking County Food Pantry, 823 Steele Ave., Newark, OH 43055 or the First Presbyterian Church, Building Fund, 110 W. Broadway, Granville, OH 43023.