WORCESTER-Sally Daniels Pettit died peacefully on February 24, 2015 at her home. Sally was born on August 29, 1922 in Worcester, MA the daughter of Dwight C. Daniels and Esther M. Daniels. She was predeceased by her sister Mary D. Blake.
After attending the Bancroft School in Worcester, she graduated from Miss Hall’s School in Pittsfield, MA in 1940. After graduating from Garland Junior College in Boston, MA in 1942, she worked at Mechanics National Bank. She served the country in World War II by serving in the US Navy from 1943 to 1946 as a Pharmacist Mate stationed in Florida.
December 23, 1946 she married William O. Pettit, Jr. They had two children, Sarah Pettit Daignault and William O. Pettit, III, four grandchildren Emily W. Daignault-Salvaggio, Cynthia B. Daignault, Sarah Pettit Drozdowicz and Robert D. Pettit and one great grandchild Ryan T. Drozdowicz.
She was President of the Worcester Garden Club. She was chosen by the Garden Club of America to be the Zone One Chairman and from there she worked her way to be a Vice President of the national organization. For thirty years she was a GCA Flower Arranging judge. She was honored by the GCA with the Zone I Creative Leadership Award, the Medal of Merit and the Flower Arrangement Award. She was known nationally for her award winning flower arrangements. The Garden Club of Dublin, NH honored her with the Nell Schwartz Mentoring Award and the Worcester Garden Club made her an Honorary member for her 54 years of service.
Sally volunteered at the Memorial Hospital Aid Society, the Junior League of Worcester, the Home for Aged Women (now Washburn House). As a member of All Saints Church, she served on the vestry and served twice as directress of the Altar Guild. She further served the Worcester community as a Trustee of the Foundation for Biomedical Research at U Mass Medical School, an honorary trustee of the Worcester County Horticultural Society, a Corporator of the Greater Worcester Community Foundation and member of the Advisory Board of the Rainbow Child Development Center. She was honored by the Center as the second recipient of the Brian R. Forts Advocate for Children Award.
She was a member of the Worcester Club and Tatnuck Country Club as well as a member of the Chilton Club and Eastward Ho Country Club. In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to All Saints Church in Worcester of Tower Hill Botanical Gardens in Boylston, MA.
A memorial service will be held at 11 AM on Monday, March 9 at All Saints Church, 10 Irving Street, Worcester.