Sarah Ann "Sally" Hoke

Sarah Ann Hoke, 87, of New Castle, Indiana passed peacefully on Thursday, December 8, 2016 at the Pavilion of Marquette in Indianapolis. Known as Sally for most of her life, she was born on April 10, 1929 in Elwood, Indiana to the late Francis W. and Sarah M. (McAvoy) Lesko.

Sally graduated from Tipton, Indiana High School in 1946 and was a life-long learner. Her vocation was to serve as the matriarch of the Hoke household while she still found time to volunteer in community organizations. These included St. Anne’s Society and Mothers’ Club, Trojan Band Boosters, Tri Kappa Sorority, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4-H, and other involvement too numerous to mention. She also worked part-time at the Henry County Historical Society in the 1980s. She was a member of St. Anne’s Catholic Church in New Castle.

At home, Sally was a baker, seamstress, and knitter who often shared her talents by sewing linens for the church, knitting baby caps for newborns at the hospital, and baking for church and family functions. She also enjoyed water therapy with her friends at Forest Ridge. An avid reader, she imparted her love of books and her thirst for knowledge to her family throughout her life. In retirement, she and her husband, Robert (Bob) Hoke enjoyed a second home on Perdido Key, Florida, where she cherished her long walks on the beach and her daily views of the dolphins and the ocean. Her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren have very special memories of “Grandma Sally’s beach.” Sally was known for her quick wit and ability to engage persons of any age in conversation. Her sunny, ever upbeat personality will be her legacy. She never met a stranger.

Sally married the love of her life, Bob, on February 17, 1947, and they were married 61 years until his passing in October 2008. She is survived by five daughters: Susan (Howard) Timmons, Linda (Richard) Miller, Valerie Ryan, Jennifer Hoke, and Kathleen Hoke, and by three sons: Brian (Paula) Hoke, William (Lisa) Hoke and Gary (Margaret) Hoke. She was preceded in death by her husband Bob; daughter, Janet; son, David; brothers: John, Tom, and Edward; and a grandson, Alex.

Also surviving are her grandchildren, Christopher (Catrenia) Melton, Micheal (Brittany) Melton, Kimberly Herbert, Kathryn (Curtis) Helm, Megan (Matt) Willis, Ryan and Kelsey Miller, Robert, Evan, Emily, Madison, Grant, David, Stephanie, Stephen, and Sarah Hoke, and great-grandchildren Allaynah, Remington, Ryan, Emma, Charlease, and Aiden.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to Riley Children's Foundation, 30 S. Meridian St., Suite 200, Indianapolis, IN 46204, in memory of Sarah Ann Hoke.

Visitation will be held on Friday, December 16, at Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service in New Castle from 5- 8 p.m. with a funeral Mass at St. Anne's Catholic Church at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 17. Condolences and memories of Sarah may be shared at www.hinsey-brown.com .