Sally L. Epskamp

Evanston Illinois:  Sally Lynn (Barclay) Epskamp, 87, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 23, 2018, at the McGaw Care Center in Evanston, Illinois.  Sally died from cancer which she bravely and successfully battled against for 10 months.  Her husband was at her side when she died and she was joined by her three sons several days before her death.  She leaves her husband of 66 year, Bob Epskamp, sons Kim, Scott and Robert Epskamp, brother, James Barclay as well as three grandchildren.

Sally was born in Flint, Michigan on February 16, 1931 to Arvilla and James Barclay, the older sister to William Barclay and James Rutherford Barclay.  She grew up in Midland, Michigan where she attended high school and then went on to study elementary education at Western Michigan University where she met her husband.

Sally was entirely devoted to her husband and the raising of their three children.  Somehow while doing all that she still found the time to be an instructor at the Department of Defense during the Korean War, Kindergarten teacher, worked at one of the three live platforms at the Smithsonian and managed three historical program site locations in Northern Virginia for Fairfax County that included Sully Plantation, Colvin Run Mill and Green Springs Gardens/Historic House.  At Green Springs Historic House, built in 1764, she originated a high English tea room.  Her interests included spinning and weaving as well as quilting.  Sally had an uncanny ability to connect with people.  She didn't make acquaintances but instead lasting friendships regardless of where she lived or how old she was.  She always found something interesting in the people she met and was a good listener.  She will be missed by all those that knew her.

ARRANGEMENTS:

Burial will be on Thursday July 26, 2018, at 2:00 p.m. at Columbia Township Cemetery, Unionville, Michigan.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Green Springs Gardens Historic Manor House, Fairfax County Park Authority, 4603 Green Springs Road, Alexandria, Virginia 22312