Sally Irene McVay, age 85, a cherished daughter, sister, mother, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend peacefully passed away after a long battle with cancer at home on September 19, 2024. Her legacy of love and thoughtfulness will endure within the hearts of all who knew her. 

Sally was born on January 5, 1939, in Duncombe, Iowa to Shirley Marguerite and Theodore William Elfes.  In 1940, the family welcomed her sister Patricia Ann.  In the early 1940’s the family moved to San Diego, California for a better life.  Some of Sally’s favorite memories were return visits to her grandparents’ farm in Iowa. The family moved around in San Diego but never left.  Sally graduated from Sweetwater Union High School in 1957.  She met the love of her life Billy Gene McVay, a US Navy sailor, that same year.  They married on August 31,1958 in Oakland, California.  Shortly after their wedding, they moved to Washington and started their family.  By 1962 they had relocated to Oakland, California where they had two more children. The family made four more moves, Long Beach, Garden Grove, Midway Island (yes, the small island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean) and then back to San Diego where they bought their home, raised their family and lived out their days.   

Sally loved supporting her children with all their interests, some of which included being a Girl Scout Troop Leader, school field trip assistant, baseball scorekeeper, swim timekeeper and driving kids to all their perspective destinations.  She even helped her son deliver newspapers during inclement weather.  Sally and Bill always supported their family and friends anyway they could.  Family and their friends were everything to them. 

Sally’s love of baseball started as a child, attending games with her father.  This love of baseball continued in to her empty nester years as she first became a season ticket holder for the San Diego Padres at Qualcomm Stadium, following them to their new home at Petco Park.  She was a proud San Diego “Padre Madres” who’s mission is to provide all children in San Diego County with the opportunity to play baseball and softball by providing financial assistance.  She loved baseball!  Sally would travel to Arizona every year for Baseball Spring Training with girlfriends and each year invite many others to join.  Her son and daughter-in-law traveled from Washington to enjoy a week of baseball and sun. Sally’s sister and brother-in-law also joined the group for quite a few seasons.  She welcomed anyone who wanted to go to spring training for a baseball filled week to share in her love of the sport. 

Sally also loved getting together with friends, outside of baseball, going to favorite restaurants and playing her favorite card game “Hand and Foot”.  She took every opportunity to teach her family and friends how to play.  She would get calls from her son and daughter-in-law asking for a ruling on cards being played.  Sally would smile and give her judgement, always being fair and never taking sides.  That is how Sally lived her life.  She may have had favorites, but she always took time to listen, then provide support and guidance to all her family.   

Sally is survived by her three children, Barbara Stimson (Gregory), Virginia McVay-Hite (Ronald), William McVay (Jacqueline); her sister, Patrica Kirkpatrick (James); two nephews Kenneth (Yolanda) and Thomas (Linda), three natural grandchildren, Samantha, Kimberly and Catherine Stimson; two bonus grandchildren Ronda Jo Jones and Jason Hite (Maria), a great grandson, Finn VonFeldt, four bonus great granddaughters, Sasha Hite, Janea, Kymistry, Roshanda Jones and their daughters, A’mayah, Khobi and Ja’Mariah respectively. Sally loved her ever expanding family, natural or bonus it did not matter to her. 

Sally and her husband, Billy, who passed before her on October 19, 2020, were reunited at Miramar National Cemetery on October 18, 2024.  A repast was held at the home of her daughter Virginia and son-in-law Ron to remember and celebrate her life.  The day was filled with tears, laughter and love just the way she wanted it to be.