Sallie Redekop, 21, of Schwenksville, tragically passed away on Saturday, April 13, 2019.
Born in Yangzhou, China, she was lovingly adopted by her parents Frederick J. Redekop and Elizabeth A. Gillespie.
Sallie was a warm-hearted and compassionate person. She was quick-witted and creative, with a talent for puns and was always ready to give out hugs. She was beloved by many people.
Sallie grew up in Leverett, MA, Jaffrey, NH, and Putney, VT. She attended Kutztown University, where she was a member of two Honor Societies and was on the Dean’s List. Sallie held two part-time jobs and was a diligent student. Sallie’s favorite pastime was cuddling any dog that was near. She once said that she wanted to be a professional sheep cuddler.
Surviving with her parents is her stepmother Maria J. Smith; paternal grandfather Calvin Redekop; maternal grandparents Doreen (Goodin) and Henry R. Gillespie; uncles Bill Redekop, husband of Diana Groffen, Ben Redekop, husband of Fran, Jamie Gillespie, Christopher Gillespie, husband of Jeanne Sullivan, and Patrick Gillespie; and cousins Katarina Redekop and Morgan, Kyra, Riley and Rowan Gillespie. She is predeceased by her paternal grandmother Freda (Pellman) Redekop.
We wish to share with you something that Sallie wrote: “I’ve walked through beautiful forests, and explored cities. I’ve listened to good music and read great books. I’ve seen people make beautiful art and share it with others. I’ve been to animal sanctuaries that protect and care for animals. I’ve danced at the beach under the stars with friends.”
A memorial service is planned to take place at 2 p.m. on June 22, 2019, in the Viewpoints room in the South Dining Hall at Kutztown University.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Sallie’s name to Main Line Animal Rescue, 1149 Pike Springs Road, Phoenixville, PA 19460.
I love you little bunny.
Your dad
Little One, you were gone before your time to really shine. I will miss your quirky jokes and ability to pun any topic. You had such a witty repertoire and ability to make your father and I laugh. You were an intense little dynamo I don’t know how your little body could hold such a large personality. I will miss getting squished by you on the couch when we all cuddle together to watch TV and you steal my popcorn. I wish you could of not taken life so seriously and relaxed into the wonderful person I knew you would become. I was honored to have the privilege of being your step mother even if for such a short time. I love you ,
Momma Bear
Sallie –
One of my biggest regrets will always be our falling out as friends. I wish so much that I could have been there for you when you needed me. I won’t make this too sad, you’d probably roll your eyes at me if I did.
I’ll never forget meeting you at community college and becoming inseparable. You were such a goofball and would always say something completely unexpected yet hilarious. I always used to come over to your apartment after classes and we’d just spend the days together, they were some of the best days of my life and I can never truly thank you enough for that. I am delighted to see that people who cared about you deeply have been commenting on this and I felt the need to contribute. I am so sorry that your life ended this soon, I would have done anything to be able to at least say goodbye.
Thank you for all of those late night talks. Thank you for being my wingwoman so many times. Thank you for all of the inside jokes. Thank you for all of your quirks. Thank you for being there when no one else was. Thank you for being my first friend that I considered more as a sister.
I will never forget you. I love you so much. Rest in peace.
Sallie we wil miss you a life too soon ended.We will try to take care of Fred and Ria in their time of grief.
Connie Lawrence-Gantert
Dear Dr. Redekop and Family I am so very sorry, Connie
Sallie, I will love you forever, Grandpa Redekop
Sallie, I will miss you. You had a great sense of humor, and such delightful witty observations. I remember that day at Dorney riding the kiddie rollercoaster with you and watching you pet Callie and Luna. I will miss you forever and always remember you fondly, Love, Lisa
Sallie was one of a kind. She was incredibly perceptive and always curious. She was affectionate and caring. She was a delight. We will miss so many things about her. Uncle Bill and Aunt Di.
Sallie,
I didn’t know you very well but our parents worked together so we were aquainted with each other. We had spanish together one semester, and one time my mom invited you to come eat lunch with us in her office. I could tell you felt uncomfortable, but you decided to join us anyway. You didn’t have to join us, but you did anyway. We talked about our plans for the future and had other small talk like conversations. I knew from that day forward I could go to you when I needed something and you would happily help. I will cherish that lunch forever.
You were such a genuinely kind and sweet human being. You were so intelligent and I couldn’t wait to see how you were going to change the world. I’m so sad to see you taken from us far too soon. Know we will miss you dearly and that we love you even more. Rest well, friend.
Sallie,
I still remember the first time we met when we were young, and you said you thought I was cool. I remember being really excited that you thought so, because that’s never the way I perceived myself growing up. Whenever I was feeling down or upset, and expressed that, you were a person I could count on to always reach out to ask if I was okay. It isn’t always easy to tell people you need to talk, but you’re a person who didn’t need to be asked, you were just there. It’s unbelievable you’re gone, but the impact you made on my life while you were here is something I will take with me always. Love, Rachael
Sallie,
I’m flooded with precious moments I will cherish forever.. As wee little ones, you, Morgan and Kyra, were a tenacious trio so eager and ready to jump into an adventure, real or imagined, loyal and protective of one another, sensitive and attuned to the many creatures in the natural world. Though not thrilled about human babies, your curious and and kind nature got the best of you when Riley and then Rowan arrived. You
kept a close protective eye on them. Reminded me of a very gentle mama bear.
I am grateful for the time we have had and so sad that you needed to go. Wish we could have done more to help you feel more connect to those and the world that loved you. Your loving Auntie Jeanne.
I love you. You’re one of my oldest friends & will always hold a special place in my heart. I remember being children & Rachael and I wanting you to be like our little sister. From discussing worldly issues and sharing college lecture notes, to seeing you get your first boyfriend and concerts, we shared so many fond memories. You were so thoughtful, kind, funny, detail oriented & a beautiful person. We always talked about how nostalgic our friendship was. Thank you for caring so much & being so kind to my son. We will miss your company at the fountain, at Starbucks and around town. Thank you for always being a great and supportive friend. You made my world a happier place. Thank you for having a presence in my life.
The greatest day of my life was the day in Yangzhou, China, when a stranger placed an infant in my arms. I recognized you immediately. Your gaze was alert, somber, intense, but would soon give way to bursts of delight as you began to explore the world.
Twenty-one years later, I remember every detail of that day in July—the heat (110°), the textures (the smooth white cotton of your dress and rough purple linen of mine), the colors, scents, faces, trees, river, gazebo, sky…the timelessness of a riverbank in rural China, where in another age Li Bo wrote his ecstatic, drunken poetry.
It was a day of pure bliss that extended for weeks and months and years. You were witty and whimsical, artistic and curious, philosophical and logical, a voracious reader, and always ready to listen, help, and take a hand or give a hug. Every bedtime was a pajama party of laughing and storytelling, word games and cat cuddling. I wondered how I ever deserved to share your life with you.
As you grew into a beautiful woman and moved on to new adventures, you inspired me still. I grieve that the world was too harsh a place for your gentle spirit and that we couldn’t shepherd you safely through it. But I am relieved that you are now free to be fully yourself, light and happy, safe and fulfilled. I eagerly await the wonders you will show me when we next meet!
I love you, precious Sallie.
Mama
Sally, we all are going to miss you so much, you meant so much to us all, you meant so much to me. The time we had together was some of the best in my life I just wish we would have taken on life like we could have together. I will never forget you Sally and the super deep impression you made on my life. You have forever changed me and the lives of so many others, I just wish you have been able to see it for yourself how much you meant to us all and how much you had going for you.
I love you so much Sally and I wish I could have been able to tell you one last time, I will never ever forget you Sally.
I hope I will be able to see you again soon.
Dr. Redekop,
My heart aches for your loss. Praying for peace and comfort for you and your family during this time of unimaginable grief. (Psalm 147:3 – He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.)
Erin Williams (class of ’18)
Dear Elizabeth, Fred, and Ria, my heart is filled with sadness for the loss of your dear Sallie. I know Sallie through Fred, who always spoke with such warmth and love for Sallie. I always delighted in memories he shared of how he enjoyed he so. I remember her coming with Fred to a triathlon that Fred and I completed together. Sallie and I immediately bonded over our love for dogs. Kindred souls indeed. Anyone who loves dogs as much as Sallie is a friend of mine. My heart aches for your loss. Please let me know if there is anything you need. You are in my thoughts and I am sending loads of love your way during this difficult time. Rest easy now, sweet Sallie. With deepest sympathy, Rami
Sally was the most outwardly warm and kind person I’ve ever been privileged to meet. From the moment we met in class she sought to provide compliments and friendship. In many ways, she was the truest I’d ever been able to be with myself in any friendship. She changed my life through her level of support and appreciation for who I was and am. I’m extremely lucky to have enjoyed the years of friendship with her that I had but just wish I could have said goodbye, or better, shown to her the deep value she held within my heart. She was true to herself to the point of irreplacability. No matter what this world took from her, Sally was the cornerstone of compassion and sweetness. This world is lesser without her and her love for all life, but it soothes me to see there are many others who will remember her forever same as I will.
Sally,
You were a brilliant, kind, wonderful person and we will miss you dearly. All my love to you and your family. My deepest sympathies.
Much love,
Jeff
Sallie,
Our whole family has loved you since you met Anju in preschool and we will always love you forever. We know your beautiful spirit has found peace, and we wish the same for your family and friends.
Much love. Brian, Jan, Dae, Anju, Sohan, and Sachin
Dearest Sallie,
We are all so very sad that you are gone from this life. We will miss you so much. You were such a loving, affectionate, kind person with such a big, beautiful, unique personality. You were honest and real, helping all of us to be our true selves, as well. Your love of animals and all that was lovely in this world was always evident. This needy world needs people like you. We understand that in your troubled mind you needed to do this. We know that you struggled all your life to love yourself and that you struggled with deep, deep depression. We wish we could have convinced you that you were an amazing person and so worthy of love. We wish you hadn’t had to experience the horrors of depression and how it lies to you, telling you that you are not worthy of love. We were so looking forward to seeing how you would continue to bless this world with your presence. You had so much to give. We will try to be of support to your dad, your mom, your step-mom, your grandpa and the others in our immediate family who are grieving your loss. We know that you did not intend to hurt them. That was not in your personality. We know this was what you felt you needed to do for yourself and that life had become too hard to bear. We know that you must have been in such despair. You fought long and hard and this would have taken incredible courage to do, so please know that we do not condemn you in any way. We will always love you and we will always remember you, our sweet and affectionate niece.
Love,
Auntie Fran
Sallie you were a big personality and it is hard to believe that you are gone. You were (and are) more important to people, many people, than you may have realized. I still remember when you were little and running about in the outdoors with abandon when you lived in a cabin in the woods. You added fun and spice to any gathering. You always seemed so tuned in and aware. I know that life was often difficult for you but I also remember a lot of fun and laughter. Rest in peace Salllie, you are missed. Love, Unky Ben
To Sallie family. I had the pleasure of working with Sallie at wal mart. She was always so bubbly and full of life. We shared a few talks about Kutztown U (My step son went there) and she told me how she liked that school. I will always remember Sallie for her night beautiful smile. Her smile lite up the breakroom on many occasions. She never spoke unkind of people, even when customers gave her a bad time. Sallie would smile and tell them have a nice day and move on. The passing of your child is diffently felt by many at work. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family . God bless you all. And remember Sallie is shining down on all.
Dear Sallie,
It feels like just yesterday we were in kindergarten sitting together at snack eating pretzels and peanuts. I will always remember the times we spent playing together, growing up together and the endless friendship we had throughout the years. You always made me laugh and smile. I am beyond grateful to have had you as a friend. Nothing will ever take away your memories and I will miss you. You may not be here physically, but you left your footsteps here that I will remember for the rest of my life. I love you Sallie and you will always have your own special place in my heart. Rest in peace.
Sally,
You greeted every dog you met and had the best puns. I can’t count the times you were there for me to pull me back up when I was down. I couldn’t have asked for a better friend. You had grown so much since I first met you and would only continue to do so with time. I’ll miss you everyday, I love you.
Sally,
I don’t know what to say. I heard about this news today by accident and it crushed me more deeply than you can imagine, and more deeply than I expected.
You were such a ray of sunshine to everyone you met, and gave me confidence that I was “Dave”, and not my past mistakes that defined who I was.
You brought the world so much joy and I wish things would have ended differently between us. Your hilarious complete lack of a filter, your love of “doggos” and amazing animated films. The sense of humor we shared. You were there for me, literally, there, when I got out of a terrible place and let me know someone was in my corner. You introduced me to so many amazing people.
I completely accepted your decision to cut ties with me, but I want you to know I wish so badly it would have been different so I could have been there for you. I don’t know if the reason you reached out to me a month ago was boredom, curiosity, or a cry for help, but I deeply regret not following up with the conversation.
Despite all our stuff Sally, you were like a little sister to me and I will always cherish the times we spent binge-ing Parks & Rec, laughing at our weird selves, and talking about how awesome cats were. You were one of the kindest, warmest, most hilarious people I’ve ever met and I want you to know a ton of people really really miss you, Sally. I hope you find happiness wherever you may be. You will never be forgotten.
Signed,
a friendly giraffe who wishes the world another day with Sally Redekop in it.
Dear Sallie,
I have many fond memories of your days as a student at Monadnock Waldorf School. You loved a good pun even then. You often had a twinkle in your eye that suggested a special connection. I remember how fond your classmates were of you and how you brought both seriousness and light-heartedness to your work. I remember how you interviewed me when your mom brought you to school for the first time! Now I wish for your spirit to find its contentment and joy. Thanks for being part of our lives.
Lisa Mahar