Memorial

Sally Stamats Hedges, 88, was born July 17th, 1926 in Cedar Rapids and died peacefully in her home on Sunday, August 24th, 2014.  Sally attended Johnson and Franklin Schools in Cedar Rapids and The Walnut Hill School in Natick, MA.  She graduated from the University of Michigan where she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority.  In 1948 she married Horace G. "Fed" Hedges and devoted the rest of her life to her family and community.  She was a member of The Junior League of Cedar Rapids, volunteered her time at Jane Boyd Community Center and the free health clinic, was affiliated with the Kenmore  Plantation in Virginia as a board member, and was a loyal member of the Marvin Cone Art Club.  Sally was a lifelong member of the Cedar Rapids Country Club and First Presbyterian Church in Cedar Rapids.  She served for many years on the Board of Stamats Communications, the company her father founded 90 years ago.  Throughout her life, Sally was an avid supporter and lover of the arts.

At  the age of eighteen months, Sally was Grant Wood's first portrait subject, "Portrait of Sally," and was later featured as the precocious 2 year-old in Wood's "Overmantel Decoration;" both are part of the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art's permanent collection. Wood painted "Overmantel Decoration" and the famous "American Gothic" at the same time.  Sally's favorite places included Smoke Tree Ranch in California,  and she adored her summers at Northport Point, Michigan. Known for her great spunk, vibrant energy and fun-loving personality, Sally held her family, friends, and pets at the center of her long, wonderful life.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Fed; her parents, Isabel and Herbert Stamats; brother Peter O. Stamats. She is survived by her 4 children: Tom Hedges (Cedar Rapids), daughters Sarah Richardson (Mount Vernon, IA), Nancy Mahany (Indianapolis, IN), and Mary Seyfer (Cedar Rapids), and their respective spouses: Debbie Hedges, Roland Richardson, Dick Mahany, and Greg Seyfer.  "Nanny" is also survived by her beloved grandchildren:  Tom (Laura), Mac (Silke), and Isabel Hedges; Annabelle (Ben) Apley and Sam (Sarah) Richardson; Peter, Ted and Charlie (Beth) Wendler; Andrew, David and Sally Timmons.  She is survived by her 6 great grandchildren: Peter, Clara, Kate, Vivian, Grace, and Samantha; nephews Peter and Bill Stamats; David, Dan, and Doug Hedges; and sister-in-law Susan Stamats. 

The family wishes to thank all of the wonderful caregivers, especially Dixie, from Homewatch Caregivers of Cedar Rapids, and St. Luke's Unity Point Hospice for the excellent care Sally received. 

Charitable donations may be made to: Theatre Cedar Rapids, Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, dogsforever@netins.net, or the charity of your choice. 

A private memorial service will be held at a later date.