Southbridge: Celesta F. "Sally" (Dierich) Sullivan, 90, passed away in Gower, Missouri after a long illness.

She was predeceased by her husband of 55 years, Richard E. "Dick" Sullivan of Southbridge, MA, and her sister, Clara Steltzriede, of Saginaw, MI.  She leaves her four children, Terry Sullivan and his wife Donna of Parker, CO, Kelly Sullivan of Parkville, MO, Kathy (Sullivan) Hopper and her husband Tim of Huntsville, AL, and Suzie (Sullivan) Groton and her husband Neal of Boothbay Harbor, ME; her brother, Dick Dierich of Saginaw, MI; her sister Chick Jaremba of Saginaw, MI; her four grandchildren, Tara (Sullivan) Rhoades, Ryan Sullivan, Erin Sullivan and Kerry Sullivan Hopper; her 4 great grandchildren, Kailey Rhoades, Colton Rhoades, Brooklyn Rhoades and Jack Sullivan.

Sally was born in Saginaw, MI, the daughter of Aloysius H. and Celesta S. (Matwiczuk) Dierich. She graduated from Arthur Hill High School in Saginaw, MI. Sally continued her studies at Central Michigan University where she received her bachelor's degree in education and was crowned Homecoming Queen.  She later went on to receive her masters degree in business administration from Western New England University in Springfield, MA, and subsequently received a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study.

Sally was a beloved teacher at Southbridge High School for 35 years. She served as Business Department Head until her retirement in 1997. Upon retiring, Sally took advantage of her travel privileges as her 3 daughters were working in the airline industry. She mostly enjoyed traveling to visit her children and grandchildren but was always up for an adventure to travel anywhere in the world. In her spare time, she enjoyed rug hooking, working crossword puzzles, exercising at the YMCA and walking just about anywhere. She loved most sports and became an avid Red Sox fan after moving to Massachusetts in 1959.

Sally was a longtime member of St. Mary's Church and its St. Rita's Society, as well as a longtime volunteer at the St. Mary's Bazaars.  She was active with the local Relay for Life walks for the American Cancer Society.  Sally was a kind, gentle, classy lady who always had an open door policy with regards to helping others, especially friends of her children.

Her funeral will be held on Friday, Nov. 18, at the Daniel T. Morrill Funeral Home, 130 Hamilton St., Southbridge, with a Mass at 11:00am in St. Mary's Church of the St. John Paul II Parish, 263 Hamilton St., Southbridge.  Burial will follow in St. Hedwig's Cemetery, Southbridge.  Calling hours in the funeral home will be held on Friday, Nov.18, from 8:30am to 10:30am, prior to the Mass.

Donations in her memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 1120, Framingham, MA 01701.