Sallie Christine Kessler Fischl died peacefully in Bethlehem, PA on May 3rd, her 87th birthday. Her family was by her side.

Born and raised in Pottstown, PA, Sallie was the daughter of housewife and school board member Pearl Scheffey Kessler and bank president John J. Kessler. She was named after her maternal grandmother.

Sallie's childhood adventures almost always included her older brother Jacob, and they remained close throughout their entire lives. Summers were spent swimming and dancing at Sunnybrook ballroom and pool, traveling throughout the USA and Canada and spending long weeks at her favorite place, Ocean City, NJ. She loved going on shopping adventures with her mother to Center City, Philadelphia, the Main Line and NYC, where they often attended Broadway shows.

After graduating Pottstown High School, Sallie attended Kutztown State Teachers College (now University) where she received a bachelor's degree in elementary education in 1959.

She taught at Lincoln Elementary in Pottstown, then moved to Camp Hill, PA to marry her Kutztown beau Ronald Zeigler. After teaching at Cedar Run and Highland Elementary Schools in Camp Hill, Sallie gave birth to daughter Nancy, her greatest joy. As a stay-at-home mom, Sallie volunteered for countless community, school and church activities and cheered from the sidelines and audiences of Nancy's field hockey games, concerts and plays.

Years later, she returned to the workforce and held various positions at Grace Lutheran Preschool, SLSC, Wanamaker's and Highmark/Blue Shield. After retiring, she landed a part-time job at one of her favorite stores, Wegman's, where she proudly worked for 16 years.

Most recently, Sallie was an enthusiastic volunteer at Lehigh Valley Hospital Muhlenberg, where she helped in the Camille Gift Shop and Ambulatory Staging Unit. She absolutely loved volunteering and enjoyed her volunteer friends and the LVHN staff, especially the nurses in the ASU who kept her busy and laughing every week.

Always thinking of others and a keen observer of all things around her -- with a notepad and pen always within reach -- Sallie's sweet smile, quiet manner and unexpected silliness drew others to her. Generous, kind, thoughtful, hard-working and pragmatic, she wore her heart on her sleeve. She was a loving, doting mom and a loyal friend.

She was happiest in the warm sun at the beach, sitting in a sand chair or strolling the boardwalk in Ocean City, NJ and Lewes, DE with her brother and family.

Sallie loved to travel and explore – from antique shops and farmers markets to interesting boutiques and knitting stores. She eagerly tagged along to Europe with her daughter, where she climbed to the top of the Acropolis, walked along Hadrian's Wall, people-watched in Prague, floated along Venetian canals and sipped beer by the Thames.

An incredibly talented and prolific knitter, she created model sweaters for Vogue Knitting magazine and high-end boutique shops. She often generously gifted her woolen treasures to lucky friends and family.

Always a snazzy dresser with a matching handbag, scarf and shoes for every outfit, she could never have enough cashmere sweaters. She loved puttering in her daughter's garden and planting flowers at her apartment building, tending to her grandkitties, Curly and Ted, watching birds, decorating, and chatting with her neighbors while feeding the squirrels.

Dozens of squirrels in West Bethlehem will miss her daily peanut treats.

And we will miss her.

Survivors: Sallie is survived by her daughter Nancy K. Zeigler and her husband Daniel C. Hugos of Bethlehem, as well as cherished nieces Kathryn Kochan of Lewes, DE and June Oppenheim of Aiken, SC and their families. She was predeceased by her brother John Jacob (Jake) Kessler.

Thank you to the volunteers and staff of LVH Muhlenberg, her apartment neighbors, friends and family for their kindness, flowers, cards, and visits during Sallie's final days. Thanks also to the nurses and caregivers at Holy Family Manor and the wonderful and caring Katie from Compassus Hospice who made Sallie's last days comfortable.

Services: A "Celebration of Sallie" will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to a favorite charity in her honor.