Sally M. Gillispie

OBITUARY

Sally M. Gillispie

January 19, 1935 – June 20, 2026

Sally M. Gillispie, a community leader, enthusiast of local arts, and long-time resident of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family on June 20, 2026 in Lancaster, MA. Her decades of dedicated civic service, profound faith, and vibrant impact leave an enduring legacy.

Born in Sudan to Presbyterian missionary parents, James and Minnie McKnight, Sally returned to the U.S. at the age of 5. She graduated from Northampton High School, and went to Penn State, graduating with a degree in Home Economics. While there, Sally met, via the TKE fraternity they both cherished, and married her lifelong partner of 60 years, Gerry Gillispie, who predeceased her in 2016.

Sally spent her life enriching Bethlehem. She beautifully spearheaded the city’s historic celebrations as Executive Director of Bethlehem’s 250th Anniversary Committee and supported the regional economy as Assistant Director of the Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce. Deeply committed to public service, Sally served the Junior League, the Northampton County Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council, Northampton County Drug & Alcohol Advisory Board, and as executive director of the Bethlehem Meals on Wheels Agency. Sally also received the Chamber’s prestigious Athena Community Service Award in 1997.

Beyond her civic work, Sally was a passionate patron of the arts and a cornerstone of local faith. She spent years volunteering with ArtsQuest and the Bach Choir of Bethlehem. As a devoted member of the First Presbyterian Church, she served on various boards and committees and sang in the Senior Choir. In later life, she moved her membership to Grace Church, Bethlehem where she continued to serve, creating their first Caregiver Support Group and singing in the choir. Her philanthropic spirit lives on through the McKnight Mission Scholarship Fund, which was set up at First Presbyterian church by her parents, and administered by Sally to give others the chance to experience Mission work.

Sally’s greatest joy was her family. She is survived by her children, Tom Gillispie (wife Pam) of Littleton, MA, and Gwen Gillispie of St. Petersburg, FL; grandchildren Beth Garreau (husband Kenny) of Natick, MA, TJ Gillispie of Ashburnham, MA, and Eddie Cintron (wife Malana) of Epping, NH; and great-grandchildren Declan and Ori.

A Memorial Service celebrating Sally’s life will be held on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Grace Church, 4301 Hecktown Rd, Bethlehem, PA 18020, with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Beyond Fund at Grace Church Bethlehem.