Sally Garrett

Sally Garrett, 88, formerly of West Sayville, Suffolk County, New York, passed away peacefully in Bohemia, New York on October 14, 2025. Born on June 10, 1937 in Suffolk County, New York, Sally was a friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful person in both her professional and personal life.

The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond “Ray” E. Garrett, Sally grew up on the grounds of the South Side Sportsmen’s Club of Long Island in the Town of Islip, New York, which eventually became part of the Connetquot River State Park Preserve. From the 1930s to 1960s, her father was employed as a trainer of the hunting dogs used by the Club’s sportsmen. The Garrett family lived on the Club’s grounds until her father’s death, after which Sally moved with her mother to a home on Cherry Avenue in West Sayville, New York.

After Sally graduated from Sayville High School, she attended Alfred University, where she earned a B.A. in History & Political Science in 1959. She went on to complete a graduate program in Library Education in 1960 from the State University College of Education in Geneseo. Shortly after, Sally was employed at the Patchogue-Medford Library in Patchogue, New York, where she served the local community for many years. A library employee who once worked with Sally said, “Preservation seemed important to Sally ... whether it was books, buildings, the Great South Bay ... they all mattered.”

As an avid outdoorswoman, Sally was also deeply committed to preservation of Long Island’s natural environments. She loved hiking and enjoying the peace and serenity of observing our local wildlife. As an active member of the Great South Bay Audubon Society, she enjoyed bird-watching. She was also a dedicated volunteer on behalf of the Seatuck Environmental Association for over a decade. In addition, she contributed to many other wildlife conservation and historic preservation non-profits on Long Island.

Sally will be missed by her many friends at the Arbors and all who knew her. She left an indelible mark on her community through her kindness and dedication to helping others as well as her efforts to protect Long Island’s natural heritage and historic places.

A memorial service will be held at The Arbors, 1065 Smithtown Avenue, Bohemia, New York, at 2 p.m. on Thursday, November 6, 2025.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Sally’s memory to:  The Arbors, 1065 Smithtown Avenue, Bohemia, New York 11716.