Page created by: Chris Marks

Sally Colbaugh Marks, 79, passed away peacefully on September 30, 2022 in Colorado, surrounded by her loving family. Sally is survived by her daughter, Sibby Dawson (Bruce), her son, Chris Marks (Beth), her four grandchildren, Holly Wirth (Taylor), Christopher Dawson, and Caroline and Anna Marks, as well as her sister, Nancy Colbaugh. She was predeceased by her husband of 54 years, James L. Marks III, as well as her brother, Edward Colbaugh.

Sally was born on June 13, 1943 in Pittsburgh, PA to Robert and Elizabeth Colbaugh. She was the middle of three children and grew up in Fox Chapel, PA where she graduated from Winchester Thurston School before going on to attend Carnegie Mellon University. In 1964, Sally married the love of her life, Jim Marks.

It was at the Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, CT where Sally began a long tradition of turning her house (or dorm) into a welcoming home. While she was always quick to describe the challenges of living on a boarding school campus, she constantly opened her door to anyone in need of a laugh, a meal, or simply a home away from home. Over 17 years on campus, there was a constant flow of students and others crowded into her TV room, eating around the kitchen table or simply living on the third floor of her house. Sally’s quick wit and warm smile made her a welcoming presence to all who were lucky enough to find themselves in her home.

In 1981, Jim and Sally were excited to start their next chapter in Lake Forest, IL, and it is there where Sally transformed from a supportive wife into a dynamic partner. She left an indelible mark on the Lake Forest Country Day School community where Jim served as headmaster for 17 years. Through her efforts in the development office she spearheaded remarkable fundraising campaigns, launched and oversaw an annual auction and helped take the school to new heights. As the “Headmaster’s Wife” she was a constant presence on campus, smiling through the halls, attending endless band concerts and school plays, and cheering on the sports teams from the sidelines. At LFCDS, Sally was instrumental in creating and cultivating a unique sense of community.

In Lake Forest, she continued to open her house through faculty parties, school events and new annual traditions like the Turkey Bowl. Her hospitality wasn’t limited to the school community, as her children and their friends constantly gravitated to her home, where conversation flowed freely, laughter was abundant and a sense of family was felt by all. There was nothing Sally loved more than having her family and their friends around the dining room table for one of her home cooked meals.

In 1998, Sally and Jim left Lake Forest with a lifetime of friends and good memories and headed for their dream home in Dataw Island, SC. In Dataw, Sally jumped into tennis and golf and created a whole new group of life long friends. For years, she worked with the Boys & Girls Club of Beaufort and embraced her new community in the Low Country. More than anything, Sally loved hosting her children and grandchildren in Dataw, sitting on the back porch with a Jack on the rocks, and watching a beautiful sunset that was “different every night.”

Sally always let those closest to her know how much they were loved. She valued family above all else, and her family always knew it.

In her final year, as Sally’s Parkinson’s disease progressed, she moved to Colorado where she could be close to her children. While there were difficult times, she never lost her fight or, more importantly, her sense of humor – even bringing laughter and joy to those who cared for her in her final days.

Sally will be remembered by her family in a private ceremony in Denver, Colorado. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Michael J. Fox Foundation in her memory.