Sally Ann Obrien

Sally O’Brien was born in Madison, South Dakota to Aletha Bernita (Billie) and James Albert Karley on April 14, 1940.

She was the first child and the oldest of eight children. There were six years between her birth and subsequent surviving child. The family lived in Chamberlain, South Dakota. At fifteen, she rushed home from school, to excitedly tell her mother she wanted to be an English teacher just like her teacher she so admired. In 1957 the family moved to Wichita, Kansas.

Sally fulfilled her dream and graduated from the University of Wichita with a teaching certificate. She played the flute through college.  Sally kept that flute with her for the rest of her life.

Sally also continued her exploration in serving and teaching by becoming one of the first pioneer Peace Corps volunteers.  Through her Peace Corps service, she volunteered in the Philippine Islands, lived in four countries, and traveled about in 30 countries.

Sally married Timothy Evan O’Brien on February 19, 1966 in Chicago. They had two daughters, Lyra and Lael.

Sally taught English and Speech in Arlington Heights High School in Illinois for more than19 years. She obtained a Master’s Degree in Speech. Sally was a member of the National Speakers Association for 22 years, giving professional speeches, workshops and seminars in the United States and abroad. She moved to Hawaii where she lived for eight years. Sally was involved in the Rotary Club there and developed a keen interest in Reiki Healing.

In 2022, she began to show a mental decline, and was brought to an assisted living facility in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, near her daughter Lyra.

Sally passed on March 1st 2026 at Hales Corners Care and Rehab in Hales Corners, Wisconsin.  The staff did a wonderful job of providing for her safety and comfort.  Additionally, Allay Hospice had a whole team that aided in Sally’s care.  It meant so much to know that she had these all ‘angels’ watching over her in her last days on this earth.

Sally was preceded in death by her father and mother, James and Billie, her sisters, Cathy Scarborough and Susan Clark and daughters, Lael O’Brien Pecht and Lyra O’Brien Draganchuk.

Sally is survived by her brother Jim Karley (Denise) and sisters Pamela Whetzal (John), Pat Karley, Mary Treeby and Cindy Cumiford (Conley), grandsons, Connor Evan Pecht, Charles Martin Pecht, Michael Finnian Pecht, Nick Draganchuk and Joe Draganchuk.

Sally was cremated and her ashes were interred in a family plot in Rapid City, South Dakota, on her birthday April 14, 2026

In lieu of flowers, tax deductible donations can be sent to:

Allay Cares

325 N. Corporate Drive, Suite 260

Brookfield, WI 53045