Sally Birch (23 Aug 1947 - 11 Feb 2021)

Such a very sad loss for John and the family. Our condolences. We feel so lucky to have known Sally. We met on holiday in South America; Sally and John were due to go a few months earlier but their trip was postponed due to the political situation so we ended up in the same group. What good fortune - they were such good company! Most of us wore unflattering sunhats in the midday heat, but not Sally - she carried a black umbrella as a parasol - of course she did; such elegance! It was a great holiday but it did have its challenges - some nights were spent in 'refuges' - very basic, with broken glass in the windows and it was freezing cold. Six of us shared a room; it could have turned very nasty, but I fell asleep crying with laughter. That was our introduction to Sally and John, and since then we have enjoyed her good humour, her mischievous sense of fun and her great turn as a comic actress at New Year's Murder Mysteries. Her laughter was infectious. We have very fond memories of our visits to the Lake District, outdoor theatre and jazz afternoons in the south, complete with picnics, and walks along the tow path in Kingston. We will miss Sally very much but as we go back over our memories we find ourselves smiling.

Pat and Dave Lowe

"She was not a sport"!!! Until she came to Hong Kong for the Sevens rugby world cup. With a glass of champagne in her hand, in an air conditioned hospitality box, chatting to Ian Botham, she suddenly learnt to love the game! What a woman. All love John and Fen xxx

With fondest memories of a very lovely lady, rest in peace Sally. With love Jo, Dave, Will and Hens x x x

Tribute to Sally at her funeral March 11th 2021
Colin and Ann Hines

There is no getting round it this is a searingly sad day, for John, Adam and Simon and their families, but also for all Sally’s many, many friends present here and watching from their homes.
The one thing we are left with however are endless memories of how much fun she was and her lively curiosity about history, culture, politics and of course the odd piece of gossip.
Whenever Ann and I were due to meet Sally and John, there was always the expectation of a good time. This invariable featured mild reprimands when she had deemed John to have ‘misbehaved’. On reflection these reminded me, as it doubtless will to those of you of a certain age, of the wonderful Joyce Grenfell saying, and here I paraphrase: ‘John, John….Dont do that’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMoSdjAjCrg&ab_channel=VHSGold

When I first met Sally in the mid sixties she was the personification of that era. I remember a photo from a fashion shoot at Richmond’s former department store Kempthorne’s where she looked so like Sandy Shaw. Tales of Eel Pie Island, Biba and as John recently reminded me of her being asked out by the Animals’ guitarist Hilton Valentine at a party at the NewCASSle’s (as she would always pronounce it) famous Club A’Gogo http://www.readysteadygone.co.uk/club-agogo-newcastle-2/.
In 1969 Sally, John, my University friend Shirley and I went on a cloudless summer day to the free concert of the Stones in Hyde Park. I contacted Shirley when Sally died and although she hadn’t seen her for five decades she spoke warmly of how much fun and how beautiful and kind she was.

Those characteristics are I’m sure why there are so many groupings represented here today of people who have also been friends of her for so many decades. These include childhood friends, Ashford Grammar friends, John’s Thames Valley friends and their partners, Thamesian Rugby club members and partners, friends from Teddington, Newcastle, Cumbria, even those met on holidays.

Finally, a memory that will resonate with you all I’m sure. I think you’ll all agree that Sally had just one vanity and that concerned public appearances of her hairdo and makeup. At a gathering of the Thamesians on a beautiful sunny day the hosts Keith and Julia remembered how Sally ‘elegantly glided into the pool in the garden, wearing a wonderful wide brimmed hat, not wanting to wet her lovely, smooth hair or spoil her makeup. Like a graceful swan, not realising the pool sloped suddenly, she slipped below the water, leaving her hat floating on the surface! As we waited, holding our breath, for her to resurface, looking bedraggled, the whole party, Sally included, exploded into fits of laughter!’

And it is that almost suppressed explosion of laughter that always followed an amusing and sometimes slightly naughty anecdote or comment that Ann and I will always associate with Sally.
Sally we are so, so sad to be without you, but we have so, so many wonderful memories and thank you so much for them all.

I first met Sally in 1978 when I started working as a Staff Translator for Commercial Union Assurance in the City. By then, as Sally and John had had Adam and Simon, she was working from home. Sally handled all the Spanish and Portuguese. I followed in her footsteps a few years later when Allan came along and CU offered me the same arrangement to do the Italian translation work from home. We both continued as freelance translators until retirement. We were both involved in the early days of the formation of the Institute of Translation and Interpreting and Sally was a founder member. The last event we attended was the 30th anniversary lunch in 2016.
Our families became close despite our moving around the country, and we like others enjoyed a memorable weekend in the Lakes covering many miles in the open-top car. As a result we invested in a convertible ourselves. We think of Sally as a lifelong friend; she was always cheerful and her smile lit up many a room.
Our thoughts are with her family; we have added a photo, taken in Ealing in May 1983, where Allan is proudly holding onto Simon’s hand. Sally’s style is very evident!
Susie and Stewart Campbell, Allan and Iain

Fond fond memories of the very wonderful Sally

With loving thoughts

Memories of happy times and lots of laughs...you are very sadly missed.

Lovely sally, the warmest most elegant lady who made me feel instantly welcome in udney park road, such a sad loss xxxx

In memory of Sally who was such fun to have as a school friend.

Sally Rest in Peace

In memory of our fun schooldays when we all enjoyed our learning together at Ashford Grammar Middlesex.

Happy memories of schooldays

In loving memory of Sally Birch.

A lovely service and a fitting tribute to a wonderful person. My cousin Sally and I grew up together; she was the big sister I never had. After she moved down South we remained emotionally close although physically distant. Even so we had many good times together, often with my brother and Sally’s mum, my only Aunty, Margaret. Rest in peace, Sally. We miss you. You are gone but not forgotten and live on with us in spirit, in wonderful memories and in our thoughts. Cousin Judith.

You were so special to us Sally and you will stay in our hearts and memories

Wonderful memories of so many gatherings in Lorton - in the cottage and garden, Coffee & Cake and film nights at the village hall, a memorable walk round the Mosser Road to the Kirkstile not so long ago and with all your Lorton friends at the usual celebrations. We’ll miss you, Sally xx

In memory of Sally.

In memory of Sally and her love of the Lakes

In memory of Sally and her love for the Lakes

Happy memories of Sally. We came together when Emma and Simon met. We shared many Happy times and also the joy and pride that Martha bought to us all. We will miss you.

In memory of my lovely cousin Sally who loved the Lakes and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

To a wonderful friend who brought joy to so many people, we will so miss you

Sally ~ Lovely memories of a lovely Lady x
Happy times and happy memories when our families merged, as Adam married Naomi, Sally will be greatly missed.
Love Bob Gowers and all the family xx

Sally ~ Lovely memories of a lovely Lady x
Happy times and happy memories when our families merged, as Adam married Naomi, Sally will be greatly missed.
Love Bob Gowers and all the family xx

Sally was a dear friend. She lit up any room she entered. Time spent with her was always full of laughter.