Salem – Sally M. (Roderick) Provencher, 79, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, died suddenly and unexpectedly in the early morning hours on May 27, 2019.

Sally was the loyal wife, soulmate and North Star of Joseph O. Provencher for 58 years (June 4).  She was born and raised in Salem, MA, the middle of seven children, and grew up in the family home near Forest River Park.  She graduated from Salem High School in 1957, was part of the "Big 6" and enjoyed keeping up with her former classmates at all the reunions.  She continued her education at Salem Commercial School.  Sally was the daughter of Arthur G. Roderick, Jr., a multigenerational business man in Salem (Roderick's Taxi and A.G. Roderick Movers), and Charlotte M. (Boyd) Roderick.

Sally had a heart of gold, a great sense of humor and she loved fiercely.  She was generous and thoughtful to a fault.  She lived and loved deeply and completely.  She was a proud woman who took the very best care of her husband and her entire family.  A lifelong resident of Salem, her professional career included working at The United Shoe Corporation in Beverly before she got married.  She then took a brief hiatus to raise her children, while also working as the bookkeeper for her father's businesses.  She was a whiz with finances and a master of lists and getting things done.  When her youngest started school, Sally returned to "Mother's Hours" work at Lechmere in Danvers, MA – as one of their very first employees and one of their last – a career that spanned almost three decades.  She worked in both luxury giftware sales, and then became the photographers' assistant in the advertising department.  Her family would often see their pictures, as props, on the featured desk or shelves on sale that week in the Sunday Lechmere circular – their own little private "Where's Waldo?".  Her family was her greatest pride and joy and she was blessed to spend time with all of them in the days before she passed.

Sally loved to laugh, read, do puzzles, dance, play cards, keep up with friends, tend to her plants and flowers and take trips to Foxwoods and Oxford.  She cherished her family and friends-who-were-like-family camp adventures throughout the years, daytrips and most of all, she was devoted to her Joe.  She enjoyed social media and keeping in touch with family and friends.  She was a social butterfly and lit up every room.  She summered with her Joe in Kennebunk, ME, until just a few years ago, and her recent days were spent as the CEO of Claremont Road.  Market Basket, Kohl's and Foxwoods will miss her terribly – but none more than her family will.

Besides her husband, the love of her life, Sally leaves her three children: Suzanne, David (Christine) and Sharon; her 2 grandchildren, Ryan (Crista) and Lauren; her great granddaughter, Jocelyn; her sisters Nancy (James) Devine and Charlotte Bucco; many nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends, including Amber, Tim and Ivy.  She also leaves two granddogs, Buddy and Neely.  She was predeceased by her sisters, Jean Theriault and Shirley Lee, and her brothers, Arthur and David Roderick.

Visiting hours will be held on Friday, May 31, 2019, 4pm-7pm, at Murphy Funeral Home, 85 Federal Street, Salem, MA.  A brief celebration of Sally's life will follow immediately after visiting hours.  Burial is private; her final resting place will be in Greenlawn Cemetery, Salem, MA, and is located near many close loved ones.  In lieu of flowers, please spend the day with someone you love.  And do it often.  We love you, Sal/Mom. For more information or online guestbook, please visit www.MurphyFuneralHome.com or call 978-744-0497.