Sarah "Sally" Reimer

Sarah "Sally" (King) Reimer, 97,died on Friday, Nov. 29, 2013, at the John Clarke Nursing Center in Middletown with her family at her side. Sally was born at home in Newport, R.I., the daughter of Geoffrey and Sarah Bailey King. She attended Newport public schools and was a graduate of Rogers High School and later the Newport Secretarial School.During World War II she worked for the American Red Cross as a hospital recreation worker stationed for three years at Brooklyn, N.Y., Naval Hospital. Sally worked at the Cancer Center for the Armed Services. While living in New York, she sang with the Madison Avenue Methodist Church Choir. She then worked for the Red Cross for two years in Washington D.C.After the war, she worked as a women's probation officer in Newport. She met her future husband, Robert E. Reimer Jr. to whom she was married for 54 years. As a newlywed she traveled for two years with her husband throughout the western portion of the country as he umpired in the Minor League of professional baseball. They returned to Newport to raise their family.For several years Sally volunteered at the polls on Election Day representing the Republican Party. She returned to work at the former Naval Underwater Systems Center in 1963, retiring in 1985.Sally's passion was theater. She studied acting privately with Ethel Barrymore Colt, daughter of Ethel Barrymore. Sally acted on the professional stage, portraying Amanda, the leading role in the "Glass Menagerie." This was the first production of the Repertory Theater of Rhode Island.She directed and acted in numerous productions of the Newport Players' Guild. Some of her notable roles were Auntie Mame in the production of the same name; Elizabeth Barrett Browning in the "Barretts of Wimpole Street;" Madame Arcati in "Blithe Spirit;" and Gabrielle in "The Madwoman of Chaillot." She directed "Life with Father," "Night of the Iguana" and Inherit the Wind," among others. Besides her thespian talents, she was both a former soloist and choral member of the Trinity Church Choir for more than 30 years, and a church member for over 50. Sally was previously a soloist at St. Paul's Methodist Church and the Christian Science Church, both in Newport. She also sang with the Swanhurst Chorus for several years.She had enjoyed membership in the Preservation Society of Newport County, the English Speaking Union, the Redwood Library and the Newport Historical Society.Sally was predeceased by her husband. She is survived by her son Robert E. Reimer III of Newport and her daughter, Pamela Alexander and her husband, Richard, of Middletown, as well as seven grandchildren: Todd, Trevor and Taylor Alexander; Jhodessa, Johannah, Noah and Sadie Reimer; and two great grandchildren, Kingsley and Stella Mae. Her sisters, Lena Brooks and Nathalie Brigham, also predeceased her.Her funeral will take place at Trinity Church, Queen Anne's Square, 141 Spring Street, Newport, RI, on Sunday, December 8, 2013 at 3 o'clock. Burial will be private. Calling hours are respectfully omitted. Donations may be made in her memory to Trinity Church. Service DEC 8. 03:00 PM Trinity Episcopal Church 1 Queen Anne Square Newport, RI, US