Sally Garcelon

Sally Garcelon, née Sarah Miles Hall, 82, passed away peacefully on August 14, 2024, in the presence and arms of loving family. She will be ever remembered and loved for her kindness, strength, intelligence and great love of her family, friends and community.

Sally was born the second eldest child to Josephine Miles Hall and Dr. John R Hall Jr in El Paso, Texas on October 20, 1941. She grew up with elder brother John Hall and younger brothers Bruce Hall and Rogers Hall, a loving, loved daughter and sister.

Beloved mother to Nina and Laura Garcelon, precious Nana to Mirra, and mother in law to Andrea Visani, our mother grew up across the USA and studied in Germany. She became a teacher after studying at Freiberg, Boston and Harvard universities, and later in life also became a librarian. Mum was an incredible teacher, cultivating a love of reading, literature and leadership for many learners young and old alike.

Sally married William Garcelon (later divorced). They lived in Kenya and Tanzania with the Peace Corps where Sally taught school children. They later lived in Vancouver, Sooke, Prince Edward Island and Metchosin, BC. Sally raised Nina and Laura primarily in Metchosin and was a pillar of grace, strength and love to them.

Some of her fondest memories were teaching children in Moshi, in the foothills of Mt. Kilimanjaro and working with students at Pearson College and St. Margaret’s School.

Sally was incredibly compassionate and generous, always there for others in their times of need. A true friend. She loved gardening, books, writing, and was an enduring advocate for the environment. Sally co-founded the Metchosin Action Committee for the Environment (MACE) which later became the Association for the Protection of Rural Metchosin (APRM).

Sally was also an advocate for human rights for all. In her younger years she protested with fellow students and professors at Boston and Harvard universities for civil rights and the end of the Vietnam war; she carried these values with her throughout her life.

Her laugh, patience, delicious cooking and exceptional parenting were all wonderful attributes. Sally cared for others deeply, facilitating college student visits to local nursing homes, and was an active member of St. Mary’s congregation, running the Seniors Lunch for a number of years. She also loved a nap in her later years and when visiting Australia could be found slumbering with wee Mirra in her embrace.

Sally’s family would like to thank the staff at the Priory for all her care in recent years. Mum was a truly remarkable woman whose spirit will remain with all who knew and loved her.

“Nothing loved is ever lost” Madeleine L'Engle

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Médecins Sans Frontières ( https://www.msf.org/donate ) or Our Place ( https://www.ourplacesociety.com/how-you-can-help/donate/ ).

We invite family and friends to join us Sunday, September 1st for a service at St. Mary the Virgin Church (4354 Metchosin Rd, Victoria) to be held at 2 pm. A celebration of Sally’s life will follow at St. Mary of the Incarnation Church (4125 Metchosin Rd, Victoria) at 4 pm.