Sally Carter Tardiff

Lebanon

Sally Carter Tardiff, 68, of Lebanon, Maine, passed away peacefully, with her family by her side on Friday, March 24, 2023, at Southern Maine Health Care in Biddeford.

Born in Biddeford on August 16, 1954, Sally was the daughter of Raymond and Dorothy (Brock) Carter.  She was educated in the Saco school system and graduated from Thornton Academy in1972.

Sally found great joy in caring for and being compassionate to others, leading her to pursue a life-long career in healthcare after graduating from high school. She began her career as a CNA, and spent many years caring for patients as a medical assistant and phlebotomist at Maine Medical Center in Portland.  As a 48 year old mother of three, Sally took her career further, going back to school to earn her nursing degree, and going on to serve on the nursing staff at Goodall Hospital, and York County Corrections Center. Later in her career, she served the community directly as a Public Health Nurse in the city of Portland. Her career was filled with incredible friendships, yet her favorite role was serving as Camp Nurse at Camp Laughing Loon in Waterboro, where all of her children attended and eventually worked as counselors.

Sally was a deeply caring mother. She raised three loving children, Amy, TJ, and Jill,  and devoted countless hours supporting them in any way she could. From sewing Halloween costumes and prom dresses, and attending baton competitions, to going to Little League games, and attending high school sporting events (baseball, basketball and softball, golf, tennis and swim) and every academic award night. So many of her children's friends became Sally's "children." Everyone who walked through the door gained a mother in Sally. She welcomed all kids with warm hugs, a listening ear and many, many words of encouragement. Her cheering days at Thornton Academy served her well as she cheered on her children, her grandchildren and really anyone who needed it.

There were many things that Sally enjoyed doing in her pastime, but some of the more notable hobbies include cooking for family and loved ones, knitting assorted gifts for friends, sewing and recently learning to play golf.  She enjoyed spending time at her friend Carol's camp and any place on the lake or a river. She was always willing to jump on a boat, paddle a kayak or canoe, or be the first to jump in the water.  Being a very outgoing, social person, Sally loved the time she spent with her closest friends, the "Ya-Yas," a name derived from the book, Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood. The nickname morphed into the "Yak-Yaks" during the pandemic when the friend group had to rely on weekly zoom meetings to catch up with each other. Sally met people and talked to people wherever she went and more recently, she also enjoyed afternoons at the Rifle Competitions with her partner Robert, so she could catch up with the many people she got to know at these events.

Most of all, Sally loved the time spent with her family, especially her grandchildren who meant the world to her. She was always willing to babysit, go to their games, sew doll clothes or engage in their imaginative play, giving voice to their stuffed animals and Barbie dolls. She will be dearly missed by many.

Sally was predeceased by her parents Raymond and Dorothy Carter, and her sister Joyce Gendron.

Sally is survived by her three children, Amy Delano and husband Derek, TJ Sawyer and wife Samantha, and Jill Sawyer and partner James Ricciardi; four grandchildren, Drew, Reid, Maggie and Ryan; her partner Robert Brooks; her brother in law Robert Gendron; and her nephew Neil Gendron and wife Jennifer.

Visiting hours will be from 4PM – 7PM on Friday, March 31, 2023 at Cote Funeral Home Chapel.  Visiting Hours will continue the following day from 10AM – 10:30AM with a Funeral Service beginning at 10:30AM on Saturday, April 1, 2023, at Cote Funeral Home Chapel, 87 James Street, Saco.  Burial will follow in the family lot at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Saco.