Sally Kirkpatrick

Wife, Mother, Sister, Daughter, Grandmother and Friend  

Sally Kirkpatrick (Abken née Trelstad) passed away peacefully on June 15, 2017 at her home in Kennewick, WA.  We remember Sally’s rich family, social, and  professional endeavors as we celebrate her dynamic life and extraordinary personality.  

Fierce, powerful, and passionate — Sally Kirkpatrick was all of these and more.  She was also earnestly warm-hearted and loving to her close family and friends.  

On October 12, 1945, Sally Louise Kirkpatrick stormed into life in Pasco, Washington.  She and her two brothers Jimmy and Ricky were active, vibrant children.  The kids were known for being “creatively adventurous” and found innumerable ways to entertain themselves and others.  Sally said the three of them occasionally left “tire tracks” on their loving mother’s forehead. 

Graduating from Pasco High School, she was a musician, cheerleader, and active in sports.  She was a gifted child pianist.  Playing by ear, her delicate hands danced across the keys, performing all types of music — from hymns, to classical, to pop. 

Sally attended Whittier Christian High School in California for several years, and was able to travel all over the country as the pianist for their nationally ranked choir.  She cherished a life-long love of music, often gathering friends and family to sing while she played her beloved baby grand.

From an early age, Sally had a “need for speed”.  A 1.5 hour trip became a 45-minute zip for Sally.  She drove race cars, luxury cars, RV’s and boats (it is rumored that she may have driven a boat into an island.)  Sally had a hard time keeping track of her keys was known to lock them in the car, and even dropped them in the Puget Sound on one occasion.

During Sally’s early professional career, she was a consultant/advisor for Washington State Senator Max Benitz, Sr, supporting his efforts to build the wine/agriculture industries and Hanford jobs.  She later owned her own advertising business, managed the local office of WSU’s Northwest Public Radio, and was Development Director for the Blue Mountain Council of Boy Scouts.

Later in her career, she served as a successful lobbyist with clients including the Washington State Car Wash Association, CH2M Hill, Visit Tri-Cities, TRIDEC, and the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce.  She also served as a Washington DC lobbyist for the Washington State Small Business Association.

Everyone on “The Hill” in Olympia knew Sally.  She made fast friends with Senators, Representatives, leaders, lobbyists, aids, and assistants.  She had a special “bond” with parking attendants (via donuts and cookies) and somehow always found a parking space up front. 

Sally was an enthusiastic volunteer, served in numerous leadership positions and on boards of directors; including the Pasco Chamber of Commerce, Tri-Cities Ad Federation, United Way, Tri-Cities Visitor and Convention Bureau, and Domestic Violence Services of Benton & Franklin Counties.  She was one of the first women to join the Pasco-Kennewick Rotary Club.

Anyone who answered her phone call would attest to Sally’s fundraising prowess.  Given a challenge, she rallied the community to garner hundreds of thousands of dollars for dozens of causes.  She was a brilliant and persuasive writer; securing numerous grants and awards, such as a prestigious Murdock Foundation grant for the Blue Mountain Council of Boy Scouts, and the distinguished Gold Eagle award honoring Sam Volpentest.

Sally was instrumental in founding and expanding the Tri-Cities Wine Festival; actively supported fledgeling wineries and growth of the wine tourism industry.  

Working on countless political campaigns for local, regional, and state Republican leaders and business causes, Sally was the “go to” grand-dame for campaign advice, strategies, and fundraising.  She worked in front of and behind the scenes, with phone calls, hosted events, direct mail, donations, door belling, and election strategies.

It’s been said once you became a friend of Sally’s, you had an army of friends.  And when she met and married the love of her life, Walter Kirkpatrick, their lives together flourished with friends far and wide. She was a legendary orchestrator…of people, gatherings, and parties.  Sally the master-mind and Walt the master-chef held esteemed Christmas parties, boat race parties, Whidbey Island extravaganzas, wine tasting tours, summer boat cruises, and Olympia legislative dinners.

Sally's community involvement waned in recent years, but her love and impact on our community will be long lasting. Sally was full of life, a vibrant soul.  She was witty, pithy, and unforgettable.  Her family, friends and community will miss her, remembering her forever.  

Sally was preceded in death by her mother Betty Getchell; daughter Julie Ludeman and granddaughter Lauren Ludeman.  She is survived by her loving and devoted husband Walter Kirkpatrick, daughter Kelly Abken; stepsons Brian Kirkpatrick and Kevin (Jeanette) Kirkpatrick; her brothers Jim (Linda) Trelstad and Rick (Kay) Trelstad; her grandson Alexander Ludeman; step-grandchildren Katie and Kristopher Kirkpatrick; and her step-father Dennis Getchell. 

Services will be held Sunday, June 25th, 2pm at Events at Sunset, 915 Bypass Highway, Richland. Reception following.

Nothing made Sally happier than being surrounded by fresh flowers and friends.  Or donations may be made to Domestic Violence Services of Benton & Franklin Counties, dvsbf.org/donate/.