Sally Biscoe Palache, devoted wife, dedicated mother, indefatigable cook, and committed volunteer, died peacefully at home on March 4 surrounded by her family and nurses. She was 90 years old.
Born Jan. 6, 1932 in Boston, Mass. to Adele Thompson and Howard M Biscoe, Jr. and raised in Chestnut Hill, Mass., Sally attended Beaver Country Day and Briarcliff Junior College. She met John G. Palache, Jr., who was attending Harvard Law School, in 1955 and they were married Aug. 25, 1956. They moved to Greenwich in 1961. John pre-deceased Sally in August 2019.
Sally and John enjoyed 63 years of marriage, sharing their love of English history and architecture, entertaining friends and working on their 1740’s summer house. Sally, an avid cook, inspired a lifelong tradition of enjoying good food and conversation at the formal dinner table.
As a devoted mother and grandmother, Sally was proud of each child’s interests and activities. She enthusiastically shared her love of history, cooking and needlepoint, inspiring similar loves in her children and grandchildren. Sally always reminded all of the importance of “thinking of others” and the importance of education. We miss her laugh, her kindness, and her practical wisdom. She was never without her beloved camera, forever wanting to capture friends, family and old houses.
Sally had a huge and generous spirit and was always caring for her friends and extended family. Her kind spirit extended to organizations including Neighbor to Neighbor and the Greenwich Hospital. An ardent tennis player, Sally loved her ladies’ tennis at the Greenwich Field Club. She had an unwavering ability to make a friend of everyone, and loved “the old and the young”.
As a self-taught architectural historian, Sally channeled her passion into numerous historical and decorative arts organizations. She loved attending lectures and programs, and leading tours. Later in life, she became a realtor with Country Associates, where she shared her love of house design with young couples looking to settle in Greenwich.
In her final years, Sally was lovingly cared for by five nurses who supported her unceasing energy with tenderness and humor. We are eternally grateful for their compassion and love for her.
Sally is survived by her sister, Nancy Biscoe Almy of Savannah, GA; two children: daughter, Lisa Palache Carey and her spouse, Bob Carey of San Francisco, CA and son, Whitney Palache; and two grandchildren: Helen Adele Carey and John Kenneth Carey.
A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, May 10 at 11:00 at St. Barnabas Church, 954 Lake Ave., Greenwich.
Honoring her years of volunteering, donations in memory of Sally Palache may be addressed to Neighbor to Neighbor, 248 East Putnam Avenue, Greenwich, CT. 06830. On-line donations may be accepted by visiting ntngreenwich.org.
