Sally Dunn Farnham

Sally Dunn Farnham passed away on Dec. 29, 2008, of complications from multiple sclerosis.

Sally was born on Oct. 20, 1943, to Dan and Gertrude Dunn in Port Gamble, Wash. She was raised in Moses Lake, where her family moved in 1946. Sally trained and rode horses and participated in rodeo barrel racing while living in Moses Lake. Her busy life growing up also included Rainbow Girls, 4-H, Campfire Girls and many school clubs and committees. She graduated from Moses Lake High School in June 1962. Sally attended Big Bend Community College and then transferred to Washington State University, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1966.

She taught in Chehalis, Wash., for a year and then moved to San Jose, Calif., where she lived for 38 years. Sally taught at Andrew Hill High School and Foothill High School in San Jose. Sally met the love of her life, Richard Farnham, while they were teaching at Foothill High School and they were married in Moses Lake on April 13, 1976.

Sally retired from teaching in 1976 and took up her interest in architecture and design while remodeling her home in San Jose over the course of 11 years. Sally and Richard built a home in Sunriver, Ore., in 1982 and moved there permanently when Richard retired from teaching in 2005.

Sally enjoyed riding on the paths in Sunriver in her electric wheel chair and visiting and making new friends as she traveled around. Sally began designing a new house in 1986 to be built in Sunriver as their retirement home. The home was built to ADA standards to meet Sally’s needs and was completed in November of 2007. It was the culmination of her life long interest in architecture and design. The time she spent there was short but filled with love for her beautiful surroundings. Although her multiple sclerosis made her physical life challenging, she never complained and was never without a kind word and a curious question for those around her. Sally was always good-hearted and remained optimistic about life.

Sally is survived by her husband, Richard, and her sisters, Kathie Ritchie (Brian) of Port Townsend, Wash., and Linda Dunn (Ray Miller) of Cle Elum, Wash. Many nieces and nephews and life long friends also survive her.

Sally was preceded in death by her parents, brother Mike and sister Donna.