Sarah " Sally" Connelly

Sarah "Sally" Mae Connelly (Bechtel) was born to parents John Harvey "Jack" Bechtel and Eva Eulalia "Lala" Eklund on October 21, 1940, in Pincher Creek, AB. The last of the Bechtel girls. She spent the first six years of her life on the Bechtel homestead located in Spread Eagle, AB and attended Spread Eagle school, riding Bessie the 3 ½ miles to get there. Being the fourth daughter, she tried to tag along behind sisters; Winona "Nona" Eulalia (Bonertz), born May 21, 1919, Inga "Marr" Ada, born April 1, 1925 and Jacqueline Marie (Therriault), born April 15, 1931. But she was too little to keep up. She always spent more time as a horse, than a little girl during those years. 

A year after "Mamma" died, she, Jaqueline and "Daddy" reluctantly moved to town (Pincher Creek). Where she developed many friendships along with the neighbors and schoolmates. Graduating from Matthew Halton High School in 1959, as class valedictorian. She attended one year at the University of Alberta, earning her teaching certificate. She taught school for approximately 5 years at; Central, Canyon (Pincher Creek) and Livingstone School (Lundbreck). 1961-1963 were a whirlwind of activity! She met the love of her life on a blind date set up by friends they danced into wee hours at the Cowboy Ball near Maycroft, AB. She became Queen of the Pincher Creek Stampede, participated in Miss Rodeo Canada, Calgary Stampede Queen competitions. She then married her soulmate, Douglas Stuart Connelly, July 6, 1963. They celebrated their 61st anniversary in 2024. 

Sally was a rancher and a cowboy. She quietly worked alongside her husband to continue running and expanding the Connelly Ranch North-West of Lundbreck (est. 1885, SW4-8-2-W5), where her Children, Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren still reside. Daughter Christina Lynne "Lynne" was born on August 26, 1966 (predeceased, August 10, 1983), Dana Lee followed on May 21, 1969. 

Family, music and horses were her life. She was also very talented, but humble artist. In her final years, she could be heard tinkling the piano keys, humming, singing and smiling to herself. 

She leaves behind to mourn her passing; husband Doug, daughter Dana, grandchildren; Liam (Tessa, Rawley and Henry), Quinlan and Justyn (Frankie). She will be missed by many dear family members, friends and lifelong neighbors. Sally suffered many losses in her life, her troubles and worries are over, and now she has found peace. 

A Memorial Service will take place at the Pincher Creek Community Hall on Sunday, April 6, 2025, at 1:00 PM. Please join the family for luncheon following the Memorial Service.

Memorial donations may be made to the Pincher Creek S.P.C.A. as well as Alzheimer Society of Alberta and Northwest Territories. 

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