I lost a friend last night at about 11:30 pm. Sally Locke was a member of my church and one of the Pathfinder staff in our first year here. She and her husband Bob both served with us that year, but they were as yet not married to one another. They camped with us and attended pretty much every meeting. Sally counseled the Explorer unit, and Bob, an ex-marine, was our drill instructor. Most people will immediately draw an incorrect conclusion about an ex-marine being our DI. Bob was gentle. He gave the commands in a friendly (though firm) voice. Everyone could hear him, and no one would think he was angry. It was great to have them as part of our club.

I was at a Pathfinder meeting near the end of the PF year (i.e., May) when I learned that Bob and Sally were engaged to be married, and that August (2005), they were married at our church. It must have been the hottest day in Concord in 25 years, and the (unair-conditioned) church was packed. Right after they got married they moved to Florida.

Sally had Parkinson’s disease. It was mild when she lived here, but it worsened as time went on. About two years ago she underwent some surgery to try to help her out, but there were complications. She was on an almost steady decline that came to an end last night. We will miss her.