Sally J.W. (Smith) Cottrell of Salina, Kan., passed away June 17, 2008, at Kansas University Medical Center following a short illness with Multiple Myeloma, a form of cancer.
She is survived by her husband, Charles Cottrell of Salina; sons, Derek Smith, Overland Park, Kan. And Drew Smith, Seattle; stepson, Brian Cottrell of Wamego, Kan.; stepdaughter, Sara Bachman of Spring Hill, Kan.; mother and stepfather, Helen and Floyd Clark, Manhattan, Kan.; brother Roger Washburn of Centennial, Colo.; sister, Judy Breymeyer of Edmond, Okla.; two stepsisters; two stepbrothers; and three grandchildren. Sally was born Feb 16, 1954, in Decatur, Ill., to Jewel and Helen Washburn. In 1962 her family moved to Manhattan, Kan., where she graduated from Manhattan High School in 1972. She attended Barton County Community College earning an associate degree in nursing and became a registered nurse. After she married Malcolm Smith in England, she returned to Manhattan where she raised her two sons Derek and Drew Smith. Sally’s nursing career, which included more than 20 years at Mercy Regional Health Center, formerly St. Mary’s Hospital in Manhattan, included time spent in Montana where she expanded her nursing career to include labor and deliver nursing. She served as a neonatal specialist with normal and high-risk newborns and was an internationally board certified lactation consultant to new mothers. As a health enthusiast, Sally became an avid runner competing in marathons and triathlons. She participated in many Boy Scout events with her sons. Sally loved educating children and the outdoors. She biked her way across Kansas nine times during the annual Bike Across Kansas. She enjoyed snowshoeing, backpacking and gardening, amongst numerous other activities. She and Charles lived four years in Montana, where they shared adventures together in the great Montana wilds. She was a partner to Charles in his photography work and shared his aeronautical interests. They recently returned to Kansas and settled in Salina. A memorial service will be 11 a.m., Saturday, June 21, at the Ryan Mortuary, 137 N. Eighth, Salina, Kan. The visitation will be Friday from noon to 8 p.m. with the family greeting friends from 6 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations are welcome on behalf of the Manhattan Crisis Center where she supported work against domestic violence and was a past board member and may be left in care of the mortuary. For information or condolences visit www.ryanmortuary.com. Sally touched the lives of many and will be greatly missed by all.
