Sally Bronson Ingraham
Dec 13, 1926 - Jul 4, 2023
Sally Ingraham’s lineage can be traced directly to passengers on the Mayflower, and her relatives fought in the Revolutionary War, earning her membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and the National Society of Colonial Dames XVII Century. And so it is perhaps well and fitting that she passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on the 4th of July.
Sally was born in Ohio and joined the great migration West with family in 1930, settling in Walnut Creek, California. Except for a couple of brief detours as a Navy brat to O’ahu, Hawaii, and later with her own family to Laurel, Mississippi, Sally enjoyed life in the Bay Area, where she attended Acalanes High School, graduated from UC Berkeley, and met her husband and lifelong partner, Richard.
As a person of great determination and independence, Sally established herself as a successful businesswoman in local real estate, rising to the rank of Top Producer at Coldwell Banker. In addition to helping many families find their dream home in Walnut Creek and environs, Sally was deeply invested in her community. She devoted substantial time, energy, and resources to causes and activities that bring beauty and culture to the greater East Bay. As a Citizens Open Space Access Committee member, Sally helped protect miles of regional parkland for generations of hikers and bird watchers. She and Dick were also active members and patrons of the Ruth Bancroft Garden, which has become a go-to destination in Walnut Creek for horticultural education and relaxation. Sally was also passionate about the performing arts, which she shared through her devoted and long-term service to the Diablo Regional Arts Association (DRAA) as a Trustee and Founding Board Member. Always full of energy, Sally was a founding member of the original Valley Vista Tennis Club and a formidable opponent on the tennis court through her mid-80s. Later in life, she developed a passion for painting, which she explored as a student with the Walnut Creek Civic Arts Association.
Together, Sally and Dick led a long, prosperous, and experience-rich life, traveling the world (including early trips to China and Africa), maintaining a wide and lifelong circle of friends, entertaining at their beautiful home in the Walnut Creek hills, making wine, and raising their three children, Stephen, Holly, and Scott (Kelso).
In addition to her children, Sally is survived by her brothers Hiram and Jake, four grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. A memorial celebrating Sally’s extraordinary life will be held on June 21, 2024, at 1:00 in the afternoon at the Walnut Creek Lesher Center, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek.