Sally Page Eustis, a Seattle resident and part-time Ketchum resident, died instantaneously when struck from behind by an SUV on Saturday morning, May 21, 2011, while riding her bicycle near Walla Walla, Wash. She was 61.
Sally was born in Portland, Ore., on Oct. 3, 1949, and was raised by her adoptive parents, Manley and Georgia Strayer. She attended the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Wash., and graduated in 1970 with a B.A. She was a member of the Alpha Phi sorority. That same year, she married Phillip Page and lived in Germany for a couple of years as an Army wife. In 1972, they had a daughter, Stefani Frances. The marriage ended in divorce a few years later.
In 1975, Sally began a very successful career in the fashion industry. She spent seven years as a buyer for Nordstrom, then moved on to the Bon Marche as a buyer for another seven years. Her eye for fashion was always part of her being. Because of her striking beauty and charisma, Sally was used by Nordstrom for a training and orientation video.
In 1992, Sally married Howard Eustis and they began a 19-year adventure full of travel, friends, food, wine and love. On the date of a significant birthday of their own or that of a friend, you would have found Sally and Howard biking in France, exploring the markets of Malta, attending cooking school in Italy, trekking the Atlas Mountains in Morocco, investigating the ancient Mayan ruins of Belize or scuba diving off the coast of New Guinea.
Sally was an enthusiastic and fearless athlete all her life. She was a competitive swimmer throughout high school and an accomplished water and snow skier for the rest of her life. She also loved hiking and biking. Her regular playground was Sun Valley, where she owned a vacation home.
Sally's adventurous spirit also extended into the kitchen, where she was fearless. A dinner invitation might have led to a seafood paella, a mushroom risotto or perhaps a magret de canard aux cerises. It was at these dinners that Sally shined her brightest. She loved bringing people from diverse backgrounds together to meet, to enjoy great food and wine, and to participate in lively conversation.
Being very well known and connected in Seattle, Sally extended her matchmaking skills into the business world as well. She was director of sales and marketing for Heartwood, the Seattle-based furniture- and millwork-producing company founded by her husband, Howard Eustis, more than 30 years ago.
Sally was fiercely and completely loyal to family and friends and was always there when needed. She is survived by her husband, Howard Eustis; her sister, Julie Brown; and her daughter, Stefani Frances Page. Her untimely and tragic death will leave an empty place in the hearts of her family, of her friends and of her business acquaintances. She was loved by all.
A memorial service will be held Friday, June 17, at 1 p.m. at St. Joseph's Parish in Seattle. A reception will follow at the Seattle Tennis Club.
Remembrances or donations should go to the Animal Shelter of the Wood River Valley near Hailey.
