Sally A. (Will) Stafford

Sally was born July 8, 1934, in Milwaukee, WI, before moving to Aurora, Wis., as a child where she lived until she met and married the love of her life, William Stafford; together they lived in the Iron Mountain-Kingsford area and raised eight children.

Besides being a loving and caring wife and mother, she was a woman of many talents: a commercial artist and painter, an author of a published book, a lover of crafting of all types, and a talented woodworker. Sally was also very involved with her church; she was a member of the choir, made baptismal items for the church, and taught CCD classes for several years. She was a second mother and grandmother to all of her children’s friends who entered her home, and she loved being surrounded by family and friends.

Sally leaves her six children, Alan (Nancy) Stafford, Annette (Richard) Van Hulla, David Stafford, Kelly (Marina) Stafford, Todd Stafford, and Richard Stafford; a sister, Mary “Mitzi” Finnendale; 10 grandchildren, Jason Stafford, Lisa (David) Ison, Sally Stafford, Brenda (Clint) Gaston, Allison Stafford, Kristen (Cory) Stafford-Thomas, John (Maria) Stafford, Jennifer (Matt) Holt, James Stafford and Deseree Stafford; 14 great-grandchildren, Aliyah (Paul) Sargent, ShyAnne Stafford, Larry Stafford, David Hayes III, Bryce Hayes, Scarlett (Kareem) Davanzo, Raymond Ison, Delilah Ison, Harlow Ison, Genevive Thomas, Zia Stafford, Owen Holt, Emma Holt, and Krystyna Sterba; two great-great-grandchildren, Willow Sargent and Wyatt Sargent; and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, William A. Stafford; her parents, Kenneth and Genevive Will; two sons, Steven Stafford and Larry Stafford; a sister, Irene French; and two brothers-in-law, Paul French and Kenneth Finnendale.

Visitation will be from 9 to 10:45 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 31, at the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home in Iron Mountain.

A funeral mass will follow at 11 a.m. at the American Martyrs Catholic Church in Kingsford.

Msgr. Joseph Gouin will offer the Mass of Christian Burial.

Interment will be in the Quinnesec Cemetery.

Condolences to the family of Sally A. (Will) Stafford may be expressed online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com.

The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.