Sally-Ann Coash died February 10, 2021 in Hobe Sound, Florida. She was 84.
Born in New York City on December 12, 1936, she was a graduate of Mamaroneck High School and attended Colby-Sawyer College.
She lived the life she always dreamed about and hoped to live. She was married to the love of her life, Tom Coash, for 62 years and was devoted to her sons Tony, Beau, and Dan, her daughter Laura, and her daughters-in-law Alicia, Jennifer, and Lisa. She was appropriately known as Honey to her eleven grandchildren. She fulfilled her number one goal in life – to have a family of good and supportive children and grandchildren.
In addition to family, her life was driven by what her mother, Charlotte Dutcher, said were her first words: “I will do it myself.” Sally-Ann took on the challenges of an acting career that ended when she chose family over an MGM contract. At family gatherings, she amazed everyone with her recitals of Shakespeare and her favorite Robert Service poems, along with puppet performances of “The Woman Who Swallowed a Fly.” She had an easy recall of lyrics to most standards.
She took on home building projects, created stained-glass windows, directed the American Merchant Marine Library Association, served on the Downtown Athletic Club Board, and was the first woman to serve on the Heisman Committee.
Although her father, Frank Dutcher, was a gifted amateur golfer, Sally-Ann didn’t start playing until the 1980s. Once she did, she quickly became an avid competitor on Westchester Country Club’s interclub team. She was largely self-taught and was always eager to share her love of the game with anyone. Recognizing the need to speed up play, she co-authored a program called “Fast Play Golf” that was adopted by the New York Metropolitan Golf Association. She followed with a book called “The Golf Organizer” which she described as more than anyone needs to know about golf.
Her interest in the game and in fair access to tee times for women caused her to join with several others in giving equal access to women golfers on weekends, as well as opening up the after-golf dining venue to all members of Westchester Country Club.
In 1991, Sally-Ann and Tom joined Loblolly Golf Club in Hobe Sound, Florida, which gave her year-round championship golf and a unique community of friendships that she cherished the rest of her life. Her “happy place” was being first off the tee with Tom and her caddy, Paul; and she was over the moon the year they won the Husband and Wife Golf Championship.
In addition to love of family and self-motivation, Sally-Ann Coach lived the principle that people “will remember how you made them feel, not what you said.” She always found a way to compliment friends. She greeted new people by asking their name and bonded quickly with words and a smile.
“She will always be in our hearts for the constant support, encouragement, and love which she gave endlessly,” said her family. “Sally-Ann lived a long and happy life, achieving her goals and leaving a legacy of friendships and a loving family who will carry her with them forever.”
The family is planning a private service at a future date. Donations in Sally-Ann Coash’s memory may be made to the Loblolly Community Foundation, 7407 S. E. Hill Terrace, Hobe Sound, FL 33455.
