Sally Allen Kimball, 92, formerly of Manchester-by-the Sea, MA and Scarborough, ME passed away January 24 in Swampscott, MA with her family by her side after a lengthy illness. Born Sally Northup Allen to Bertram Ward Allen and Patience Viola Northup in Milton, MA in December of 1927, she was the last of the “Greatest Generation” of Allen’s to have lived in the historic home on Washington St. in MBTS. Sally graduated from Story High school during WWII, and afterwards attended The New England School of Art in Boston. She married Donald W. Kimball of Mattapan in June of 1948, and they were together 45 years. They resided in Beverly and Melrose before settling in MBTS where they raised their four children.
Sally was active in the community, coordinating a retirement gala for long-time 5th grade teacher Minnie B. Ball, sang with the Harmonetts, and volunteered in her “spare time,” as Cub Scout Pack 30 den mother.
Sally loved MBTS, especially “Shining” Singing Beach and Tuck’s Point, where she often could be found with four children in tow. Boating was another favorite activity the family enjoyed in their Chris Craft cabin cruiser, which she named “Sea Fun.” Many memorable weekends were spent anchoring at Misery and Bakers Island, cruising up the Annisquam River to Plum Island, where long summer days in the 60’s were spent snorkeling, swimming and picnicking.
Not one to shrink from a challenge, she could sometimes be found taking the kids in the Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser up to Burlington, Maine to visit their grandparents. Back in the day before four lane highways went past Portland, and GPS was unheard of, she navigated the back roads, while occupying the children with singing, the license plate game, and looking for the big wooden Indian Chief on Rt. 1 in Freeport.
She was constantly reinventing herself, as many folks of the depression did. While raising her children, she started a job as a medical receptionist at the Medical Group in Beverly, where she worked for 17 years. After her and Don SR retired, they moved to Scarborough, ME where she spent time cooking, sewing, painting, and taking care of Carolyn Rose Pinkham, her mother-in-law, and their two dogs, until dad’s death in 1993.
She married Charles H. Tuttle in 1994, and they lived in South Portland, ME until his death in 1997. She made many friends both in MBTS and Maine with her lovely bright smile and easy going way!
Despite life’s occasional disappointments, mom always managed to overcome them, finding strength in her faith and family.
Our family would like to thank the staff at the Bertram House of Swampscott, MA for their years of providing a home for our mother and to the compassionate hospice caregivers from Care Dimensions of Danvers. Sally was predeceased by her husband Donald and is survived by her four children, Don Jr of S. Portland, ME, Carolyn of Salem, MA, David and his wife Janet, of Lynn, MA and Douglas and his wife Cheryl, of Haverhill, MA, seven grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Sally’s Memorial Service will be in East Baptist Church, 300 Western Ave Lynn on Saturday, February 8, 2020 at 10:30 AM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. In honoring Sally’s wishes there will be no visiting hours. A burial service was held at Rosedale Cemetery in MBTS.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a charitable contribution to The Iris Network.
