Sally DeForest Attwater

Sally (DeForest) Attwater 84, Retired Professor of Dietetics, died Thursday, September 17, 2020. Visitation will be from 5:30 - 7:30 pm, Monday, September 21, 2020, at Downing & Lahey East Mortuary. Due to the pandemic, the funeral service will be private, but we will have a recording available following the service at www.dlwichita.com. Reception & Celebration of Life will be from 2:00 - 4:00 pm, Tuesday, September 22, 2020, at Wichita Country Club, 8501 E. 13th St., Wichita. Sally Attwater was born in Peabody, Kansas with her twin brother, Richard. She attended Kansas State University where she studied to be a Dietician. Sally joined the Pi Beta Phi Sorority, where she built many life-long relationships. After college she was married to Paul Attwater II in Peabody, KS on September 13, 1958. Paul & Sally went to Indiana where Paul finished his Master’s degree, and Sally worked as a Dietician. Later, Sally earned her Master’s degree in Education at Wichita State University. She was a professor of nutrition at the St. Mary School of the Plains nursing school in Wichita. She loved education and working with her students. After the school closed, she went to work for the Wichita Dialysis Center helping patients manage their dietary plans. Paul & Sally have three children, Sarah, Paul, and Susan. They lost their eldest daughter, Sarah, in a tragic car accident in 1976. Sarah was a proud thespian at Southeast High School. They have supported the Sarah Awards in her honor for over 40 years. Sally loved being around friends and family. She was known for her gatherings around the backyard swimming pool as both mother and grandmother. Sally loved the holidays and wanted each to be special. She made hosting family dinners look effortless. Her greatest treasure was her family and especially her six grandsons and recent addition of a new great-grandson. Everyone that met Sally was touched by her genuine kindness and interest in them. She was strong advocate for everything she held important including Kansas State, her Pi Phis, her church, and most importantly her family. Sally fought lung disease/ COPD for over five years. When the time came, she knew she was ready to go. She had given it her best and fought the good fight. She was at peace and ready to see her daughter Sarah again in heaven. Sally believed strongly in her faith and felt the most important thing was to live by the Golden Rule. Preceded in death by her daughter, Sarah Ann Attwater; parents, John and Cleo DeForest; brothers, Douglas, Jack, and Richard DeForest. Survived by her husband, Paul Attwater, II of Wichita; son, Paul (Kim) Attwater, III of Wichita; daughter, Susan (Daniel) Taylor of Wichita; brother, Charles DeForest of El Dorado, KS; sisters, Jean Smith of Dallas, TX, Linda (Charlie) Long of Alta Vista, KS; grandchildren, Patrick Attwater, Nicholas (Nick Boyd) Attwater, Thomas (fiancé, Molly Moran) Attwater, Joseph Attwater, Sam Taylor, Ryan Taylor; great-grandson, Ian. Memorials have been established with: St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church - Endowment Fund, 7404 E. Killarney Pl., Wichita, KS 67206; or Botanica (funds will be used towards a Memorial Bench in the gardens), 701 N. Amidon, Wichita, KS 67203.