One could find her at monthly No Kings Protests on Saturdays in Chandler Park with her husband of 60+ years, David, or at the Good Food Pantry on Thursdays volunteering her time or at any countless meetings, programs, events and happenings going on around Macomb. Longtime resident Sally Egler did not, as the saying goes, let the grass grow under her feet. Egler, 89, passed away Sunday, April 19 at Blessing Hospital.
“As many of you know, my mother, Sally Egler passed early in the morning yesterday. I believe she was at peace after living a full, meaningful life. She cultivated an enormous array of lifelong friends and she used her influence and inimitable powers of debate and persuasion for the betterment of her community. I will endeavor to carry with me her better qualities, and I encourage all to do the same, as it would enrich us all,” her son, Jordan, posted on his Facebook page Monday.
Egler moved to Macomb with David in 1972 when he accepted a job as an assistant professor in Western Illinois University’s Department of History. Their plan was to stay for only two years, but the couple formed friendships and connections, and just like that, Macomb became their lifelong home. A Northwestern University graduate, Sally joined the faculty of Macomb High School, where she taught speech and English, and was the debate coach, for 20 years. After retiring from Macomb High, she taught at WIU for two years.
As MHS graduate and Macomb Alderman Dave Dorsett posted on the Bomber Angels Tribute Page: “Farewell, dear Sally Egler... thank you for always believing in me. I couldn’t have done any of this without the help of an incredible group of English teachers. You were pretty close to the last one left and now you’re gone. I’ll miss what became an incredible friend over the years.”
Beyond her impact in the classroom, which is evidenced by the fond remembrances posted on the Bomber Angels page, Egler made enormous contributions to her community. She was an active member of the League of Women Voters of McDonough County (LWV) for well over 25 years, including serving as the league’s vice president and chair of the Voters Service Committee. Egler was also the principal organizer of the LWV Candidate Forums.
“Sally was a pillar of the League of Women Voters for more than 30 years. For many of those years she ran the LWV candidate forums with efficiency and absolute integrity,” said friend and fellow LWV colleague Jane Carlson. “She was a mentor, a source of encouragement and a friend to all of us. The community will miss her very much.”
She had been a member of the Macomb Zoning Board of Appeals, a volunteer at the Macomb Arts Center and the Good Food Pantry, a reader for Western’s Audio Information Services and a founding member of the Macomb Feminist Network.
“She was so involved and integrated into so many aspects of our community. Sally’s personality was as big as her heart,” said friend and MFN colleague Becky Parker. “She was not only a great communicator, she acted on her many passionate interests in making the community an even better place to live.”
Egler was honored for her work with the Macomb Feminist Network’s Writing Women into History Award in 2018, and had previously received a Community Quality of Life Award from McDonough County Quality of Life Task Force. She was also involved with the McDonough County Democratic Central Committee (MDCC).
“Sally was a phenomenal lady who strived to enhance the quality of life for all human beings. I admired her quiet demeanor and her ability to speak her mind in a manner that commanded respect,” said MDCC Chair Belinda Carr. “I truly appreciated her leadership and guidance throughout my involvement with the McDonough County Democratic Central Committee. I will miss her!”
A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Arrangements are pending at Clugston-Tibbitts Funeral Home in Macomb.
