Sally Anne Reisner
Sally Anne Reisner, age 78, of Fayston, Vermont, passed away peacefully on August 15, 2025, at Providence St. Peter Hospital, in Olympia, Washington. Sally was born on April 7, 1947, in Oakland, California, to Nancy Pfeifer and James Demarest. She grew up with sisters Lynn Whitehead and Debbie Negus in Piedmont, California, and later Westfield, New Jersey.
She earned her bachelor’s degree in education from Farleigh Dickinson University and worked as a teacher in New Jersey for 17 years. In addition to impacting the lives of her many students, Sally was involved with early efforts in the late 1980s to bring technology into the classroom, teaching students and educators to use laptop computers. After retiring from teaching, Sally joined the Mad River Poets, and worked to publish her poetry and others in a collection of poems titled, “Pebbles from the Stream.”
Sally is survived by her children Scott (Suzanne) Boyd and Jim (Stacey) Boyd, her stepson Erik (Lisa) Reisner, and stepdaughter Ingrid Reisner; her grandchildren Emma, Maxwell, James, Anabelle, Lilly, Levi, and Maddie; and her sisters Lynn (Eddie) Whitehead and Debbie (Drew) Negus. She is also survived by her companion Jamie Norris, her former husband John Boyd, her stepson Mark (Pam) Boyd and his family, and many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Rich Reisner.
Sally enjoyed a very active social life and was a beloved connector of friends and family. She was an active tennis and bridge player. She volunteered for organizations like the Joslin Memorial Library, the Poetry Society of Vermont, Habitat for Humanity, Children’s Specialized Hospital, the Mountainside Music Association, and also in her children and grandchildren’s classrooms. Sally was known for her unwavering optimism. To many, she was the most positive person they knew – always seeing the good in others and the beauty in the world around her. She lived with gratitude and shared boundless love.
A Celebration of Life will be held from 3 to 5 p.m., Saturday,September 27, at Mad River Exchange, 6163 Main Street, Waitsfield, Vermont 05673.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Poetry Society of Vermont, https://poetrysocietyofvermont.org/product/donation-1/
Thank you to everyone who has loved, laughed with, and cared for Sally during her time with us. Please keep her in your heart.
