My friend Sally Burke passed away Saturday, November 7, 2020. She was such an inspiration to so many. When Mansion on a Hill was published she contacted me and asked me if I were to write another book, she would like to share her story. Sally gave birth to a daughter at The Willows in 1958 and gave her up for adoption. She reunited with her daughter Jan forty years later in 1998.
Sally worked to help other reunited birth mothers as they dealt with the emotional issues of guilt and confusion. She provided a listening ear and understanding to women all over the country through her support group First Mothers Reunited.
Sally’s story was shared in the book The Girls Who Went Away: The Hidden History of Women Who Surrendered Children for Adoption in the Decades Before Roe v. Wade. She was very excited again share her story in More Voices of The Willows and the Adoption Hub of America. I’m very sad she was unable to see the finished book. Thank you, Sally for all of your love and support you have given to so many others. RIP