Sarah “Sally” Helen Downes Hollier was born December 8, 1934 in Glendora, California, where her father, William Lowell Downes, was an orange farmer, and her mother, Lucie Gauslin Downes, a pianist. Sally graduated from The Bishop’s School in La Jolla, California in 1952 and from Pomona College, with a B.A. in English Literature, in 1956. At Pomona she sang in the Glee Club, made lifelong friends, and met her husband, David Hollier, of Bozeman, Montana.
Sally and Dave married on June 12, 1956. An only child, Sally longed for a big family and welcomed four children: Sarah, David, Bill and Carol. The family moved frequently for Dave’s work; always adventurous, Sally especially loved living in Kodiak, Alaska (1958-60), and San Benancio, California (1965-67). Sally reveled in being a wife and mother and devoted her energy to family life. Her love for children was not confined to her own four; she found her vocation volunteering in the Head Start program in the late 1960s in Stamford, Connecticut, and leading Brownie, Girl and Cub Scout troops.
In 1972 Sally and Dave moved their family from Old Greenwich, Connecticut to Bozeman. Sally shared Dave’s love for the beauty of Montana, the joys of camping, picnics and cross-country skiing in the mountains, and music. Together, they sang in the Bozeman Symphonic Choir, the Pilgrim Congregational Church choir, and traveled to New England and Europe to sing with the Berkshire Music Festival.
When her youngest child started school, Sally earned a second degree in early childhood education at MSU. Hired as Director of Pilgrim Preschool, she led the school for fourteen years. Countless Pilgrim Preschool students and their parents can attest to Sally’s vision and commitment to make Pilgrim an exceptional program for young children. Her felt bulletin boards were works of art. Upon retiring from Pilgrim, Sally volunteered regularly at the Bozeman Food Bank and worked at the Museum of the Rockies in the dinosaur bone lab as well as in the Tinsley House.
After Dave retired, Sally and Dave split their time between Laguna Beach, California and Bozeman. Over the years eight grandchildren – Daniel, Sam, Lucy, Meredith, Emma, Nowell, Rosa and Jet – joined the family. Sally welcomed each grandchild with a handmade quilt, each a one of a kind treasure.
Sally was never happier than when she was camping with Dave or the extended family. Riding her bike, swimming and dancing always brought her joy. She was an avid reader and a faithful letter writer. She had the eye and the soul of an artist; even in her last months she took great pleasure in observing the delicate construction of a seed pod or the cloud patterns of a winter sky. She was an outstanding seamstress and sewed everything from tents to sunbonnets to finely tailored clothing. Sally treasured and nurtured her friendships and made new friends in every chapter of her life. She will be dearly missed.
Sally died peacefully on September 30, 2018. Sally was predeceased by her husband, David Richter Hollier, and her son, William Christopher Hollier.
A memorial service to celebrate Sally’s life will be held Monday, October 8, at 10:00 A.M. at Pilgrim Congregational Church in Bozeman.
In lieu of flowers, Sally’s family asks friends to contribute to the Sally Hollier Memorial Pilgrim Preschool Scholarship fund. To do so, please make checks out to Pilgrim Preschool and place “Hollier Scholarship” in the memo and send to Pilgrim Preschool, 2118 S. Third, Bozeman, MT 59715.
Arrangements are in the care of Dokken-Nelson Funeral Service. www.dokkennelson.com
