This Sunday, February 12, 2023, Sally Schaertl (née Litz), loving wife and mother of ten, passed away at age ninety one. Wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, cousin, daughter, sister, teacher, community organizer, matriarch, friend...she wore these hats and so many more.

Born on a beautiful fall day on September 27, 1931 in Homer, New York, to Gertrude (Morenus) and Alfred Litz, she was destined for big things - big families, that is.  Raised as an only child with a house full of adoring cousins, Sally made her way to SUNY Albany where she met the love of her life, George Schaertl.  Married on August 23, 1952, their life started off on an adventure, turned away at the Canadian border due to the polio epidemic.  After moving to Shortsville in 1954, Sally settled with her growing family in a house she built with her husband George on a dirt road just outside the village in 1956.  Fifteen years later she found herself with ten children and a very busy family life.

Sally held a number of jobs while raising her children, from slinging ice cream cones at Bud's Polar Bar, to serving tired truckers hot coffee at the Thruway restaurant. When her youngest child entered kindergarten, she spent her evenings getting her Master's in Education at Nazareth College in Rochester.  Prior to becoming a full-time teacher, she entered the field when Principal Neil Harkenrider called her stating “We need a substitute teacher and you start tomorrow.”  Before long, Sally found herself as a permanent fixture in the 7th grade math department at Red Jacket Central School District, where she taught for the next 25+ years.  With the last paycheck as a teacher, she donated the entire amount to the Booster Club and the construction of the baseball and softball dugouts.  Her son Jim, who was hired to build them, was unaware of her involvement until after her passing.

The mark she made on her community can't be overestimated.  Girl Scout leader, Chamber of Commerce Treasurer, Founder of the Red Jacket Community Library, Founding Member of the Red Jacket Booster Club and so much more.

Sally lived in that same brick house on Shortsville Rd until the day she died.  She is predeceased by her grandson, Jared and two half-siblings, Henry and Susan.  She is survived by her husband of 70 years, George, her 10 children, Sue, Jo, Mike, Lynn, Eric, Marc, Matt, Jim, Jed and Lisa, her two half-siblings Judy and Richard, and her 70 plus grandchildren and great grandchildren, many of whom spent their summers on the Schaertl compound, days spent playing kickball in the back field, swimming in the pool, big family dinners, playing tag through the house and being treated to daily lunch by Grandma who had Mark's Pizzeria on speed dial.  The parties she planned, the holiday traditions she set (and then insisted upon) will remain foundational memories and traditions for her family in years to come.  From the halls of Red Jacket to the heart of our community, she was loved.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the American Legion, 1513 Palmyra Street, Shortsville, NY on Sunday, February 19 from 1-4 pm and all who knew her are welcome to drop by.  We'd love to hear about any especially fond memories you have of her - notes can be left here.  Donations in Sally's name can be made to the Shortsville Manchester Area Chamber of Commerce - an organization she was happy to support herself - go here for more detail or to donate.  

Thank you for helping our family honor and celebrate her life.  We're happy to share some of our favorite photos.