Thursday, March 14, 2013
Dear Family of Sally Ann Parker
I am sorry to hear of your mother's passing. Although I did not know your mother, I believe our parents knew each other in Janesville. My father, Jack Coyle, was with General Motors, and he and my mother, Una Coyle, were transfered there. I believe my brother, Fred (b. 1950) was born in Janesville. My sister Sherry and brother Jeff would have been around 9 and 7 when the family was transferred to California in 1951-52, where my father had a Chevrolet dealership.
Why is this relevant? I was born in California in 1953, and named Sally Ann Coyle. When I once asked my mother where the name came from, she said I was named after Sally Parker, of the Parker pen company. I have always wondered about Sally Parker. I loved Parker pens and felt a strange connection when I held one in my hand. Imagine my surprise when I read the name Sally Minor Parker in the Durham paper. If I had known that your mother was near, I would have visited her. She seems to have been an interesting woman...as was my mother.
I live between Hillsborough and Chapel Hill (and spell my name with and "e" at the end.) If any of you would like to have a cup of tea someday, I would welcome it. If not, that is OK, too. But I wanted to share the story. Yours, Sallye Coyle
