Sara “Sally” Giles Deisch was born in Huntsville, AL, on June 10, 1938. She graduated from Huntsville High School (’56) and received her bachelor’s in science degree in nursing from Emory University (’61) where she was a member of the Tri Delta sorority. Just after graduation, Sally entered the United States Public Health Service under the Surgeon General. She earned the position of Senior Assistant Nurse Officer before her Honorable Discharge in 1964. She later earned a master’s in public health from the University of Miami. Her career was as a registered nurse in Public Health for the State of Florida.
Sally moved to Lake Worth, Florida, married Anthony C. Deisch and raised two amazing boys, Maxwell Charles and Christopher Adrian. She worked at the health department in Palm Beach County. After retirement, she moved back to her beloved Huntsville for several years until she once again moved to Florida to be closer to family now living in St. Johns. Whether in Alabama or Florida, Sally was involved with many clubs as well as her local church. In Huntsville, she was a long-time member of Central Presbyterian and active at the Botanical Gardens as well as local civic and historical groups. While the boys were growing up in Lake Worth, Sally was everything from a cub scout leader to a Sunday school teacher at Lakeside Presbyterian to the summer camp nurse at Camp Carolina in Brevard, NC. In St. Johns she was a member of Mandarin Presbyterian, PEO Chapter CF, the Garden Club of Switzerland and a volunteer at the library.
Throughout her life, Sally was interested in history, reading and gardening. She was a life-long learner. Above all though, she was a devoted and beloved grandmother and friend.
Sally, age 86, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 7, 2024. She was preceded in death by her son, Maxwell Charles Deisch (Leigh Ann), her brother, Charles Thompson Giles Jr., and her parents, Charles Thompson Giles Sr. and Grace Gasaway Giles. She is survived by her son, Christopher Deisch (Barbara), and grandchildren, Maxwell Deisch, Alan Deisch (Jaycie), Madeleine Deisch and Ian Deisch.
A memorial service will be held at Mandarin Presbyterian Church (2501 Loretto Road Jacksonville, FL 32223) on October 19, 2024, at 11 a.m. At a future date there will also be a graveside service at Maple Hill Cemetery in Huntsville, AL.
