Sally Ann Downs – Cullman AL – Sally Ann Downs, 88, died peacefully May 13, 2026, in Folsom Rehab and Healthcare Center – Cullman, Alabama. She was born at home in Jefferson, Vermont and was raised in Ayer, Massachusetts by her parents, Stanley and Paquita Bennett, along with her brother, Edward Bennett and sister, Deborah Bennett.
She graduated from Ayer High School where she was a good student and was a member of the basketball team. In high school she worked for attorney Carl Black and also worked summers as a lifeguard.
Sally married her first husband Geoffrey L. Mattocks, moved to Boston, Massachusetts and started their family with son, Douglas W. Mattocks, daughter Stephanie L. (Mattocks) Palisay and son Gregory B. Mattocks.
In 1960 the family moved to Farmingdale, New York. Sally stayed home to care for the children and eventually accepted a position at Wellwood Cemetery as their office manager where she worked for 40 years.
When her first marriage ended, she moved to Islip, New York and met her second husband Maurice G. Downs and his son Nicholas Downs. They established a beautiful homestead where they were able to entertain their children and grandchildren, Jamie Mattocks, Allison Mattocks, Danny Palisay, Eric Palisay, Gregory Mattocks Jr., and Christopher Downs. Many memorable summers and holidays were spent in Islip by the pool and on the boat, “Sally’s Diamond”.
In addition to Douglas, his wife Linda Mattocks, Stephanie, her husband Donny Palisay, Gregory Sr., his wife Cindy Mattocks, Nicholas, his wife Jennifer and her grandchildren, she is survived by great grandchildren, Ava, Dax, Nellie, and Kane Palisay, Finch Downs, and Ashe Mattocks.
A virtual memorial service is planned for June, and family and friends will receive a link to the service.
