Sarah Helen "Sally" Proulx

Mrs. Sarah Helen “Sally” Proulx, 53, of Frederick, passed away on Sunday, June 30, 2024 at Kline Hospice House after a brave two year and nine month battle against Stage IV colon cancer. She was the devoted and cherished wife of Nelson Proulx for 19 years, and the loving mother of their three beautiful children.

Born June 12, 1971 in Baltimore, Sally was the dearly-loved daughter of Lawrence “Larry” O’Hara and the late Margaret “Peg” O’Hara. She grew up in Frederick and, through her childhood years, attended Good Shepherd Nursery School, Visitation Academy, St. John Regional Catholic School, and Frederick High School. She earned an Associates Degree in Nursing in 1992 from Frederick Community College and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1994 from Towson University.

Sally’s nursing career began with her service in the Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit as an RN at Good Samaritan Hospital in Baltimore from 1993-1996. She then joined the staff of what is now Frederick Health Hospital and served as an RN on the Medical/Surgical/Oncology Unit from 1996 to 2001, an RN in the Radiation Oncology Department from 2001 to 2005, and as an Education Specialist in what is now the Clinical Education Center at FHH from 2005 to June 2024. During her time in the Education Center, Sally was a Nurse Residency Program Coordinator where she onboarded all new nursing staff in Nursing Orientation, taught RN Preceptor and Charge Nurse classes, and led an annual Nursing Symposium. The high level of dedication and commitment that defined Sally's career continued strongly despite the significant health challenges she faced.  She was gentle and light-hearted in demeanor, but incredibly strong and determined in her focus to continue serving the Frederick Health community.

Sally prioritized spending time with family, both near and far. She loved and looked forward to  enjoying annual beach trips, Frousin (cousins who are friends) getaways, trips to Ireland, and celebrating both special and day-to-day events. She took great pride in concerts for her singer, as well as games and travel weekends for her hockey players. Sally always loved and appreciated the simple pleasures of life, and was most happy when enjoying time with those she held most dear.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her dearly loved children, Daniel Nelson Proulx (18), Lawrence Colman Proulx (15), and Clara Margaret Proulx (12); sister Mary Haley and husband Patrick, and brother Lawrence “Larry” O’Hara and wife Heidi. She was fun, hilarious, and doting Aunt Sal to Michael, Rose, Ellen, Sadie, Lily, and Lucy, all of Frederick, and Jimmy and Katia of Quebec, Canada.

As a lifelong Catholic, Sally lived her faith every day as a true example of a humble and faithful servant of the Lord. Growing up, Sally was an active parishioner of St. John the Evangelist parish, and then of St. Katharine Drexel parish in her adult years as a wife and mother. She taught her children by example that combining steadfast faith with being part of a loving church community creates the most beautiful foundation for a life of true contentment.

The family will receive friends from 3pm to 7pm on Friday, July 5, 2024 at the Keeney and Basford Funeral Home, 106 E. Church Street, Frederick. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, July 6 2024 at St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Church, 8428 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick, MD. Inurnment will be private, at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, a savings account has been created for the future support of the Proulx children.  Contributions can be sent to Nelson Proulx, P.O. Box 14, Frederick MD 21705.