Sally Winn Panic

December 24, 1932 - December 9, 2020

Sally Ann, loving mother of three, and grandmother of ten, died a few weeks shy of her 88th birthday. She passed away peacefully with her children Mark, Janie, and Trish by her side.

Mom was born in Los Angeles to Helen and William Winn. She lived in San Marino with her parents and two older sisters, Dorothy Winn Hayes '43 and Betty Winn Sill '44, and attended South Pasadena High School. Mom had a happy childhood. An accomplished pianist, she was to pursue her love of music at UC Riverside, but had to leave college suddenly when her beloved father died of a heart attack. While home taking care of her mom, she worked in the library and taught piano and through one of her students met Thomas Taylor. They married in 1954 and after a brief time in Sedalia, Missouri where Tom was stationed, they moved to Arcadia until their divorce in 1968.

In 1978, mom married Milan Panic, a pharmaceutical executive, and moved to the Oak Knoll section of Pasadena. She lived an exciting and charmed life. She hosted social affairs, company events, and was recognized by all who came to know her as a woman of grace, kindness, and impeccable style. In 1982, they moved to Newport Beach. She joined the Philharmonic Society, played tennis at the local club, and loved to immerse herself in a good book. She had enjoyed the movies since childhood and was an expert on Hollywood's golden age. Mom traveled the world, often to Geneva and London where she relished lively chit chat about the Royals. For a short time in 1992, when her husband was appointed Prime Minister of Yugoslavia, she lived in Belgrade as First Lady.

Mom was known by her friends as caring and generous with a special fondness for animals, especially dogs. She doted on her dachshunds Judy and Katie and took them everywhere. After her divorce in 1998, she moved to Bayshores. There she joined her girlfriends for luncheons, attended symphonies, but mostly focused on her kids and grandchildren. As Grandma 'Sassy', she never missed a birthday party, musical recital, weekend soccer game, graduation, or holiday school event. A particular favorite was to visit Bronx, New York each summer to take Janie's kids to camp in New Hampshire. It was also at this time in her life that she rediscovered her Christian faith. Mom worshipped at St James Episcopal church on Via Lido in Newport Beach and spent some of her happiest years volunteering at Sunday services, making new friends, and attending weekly bible study groups.

Mom will be remembered in so many ways; a loving mother, a devoted grandmother, a good wife, a loving sister and daughter, a special and loyal friend, and a devout Christian. She adored her family, each without condition. Her children, their spouses, and her ten wonderful grandkids will miss her terribly. Mom was deeply involved in her children's lives, always putting their family's needs ahead of her own. Tragically, mom fell victim to Alzheimer's disease the last ten years of her life, but even in those final years, her legendary wit kept everyone laughing. She never lost her sense of humor or love of music.

Dignity Memorial