Sara "Sally" Catherine Custer's Obituary
Sara “Sally” Catherine Custer, age 86, passed away peacefully on April 1, 2026.
Born on April 19, 1939, Sally was raised on a farm in Pennsylvania, where she developed the strong values that guided her life, faith, hard work, and deep care for others.
In 1958, she married the love of her life, Rodney Gene Custer, just before his deployment with the United States Marines.
Sally and Rod moved to Northern Virginia, where they built their careers and raised their family.
Sally was a devoted mother to David (Theresa), Christine (Paul), and Stephen (Yvonne), and a proud grandmother to ten grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren. She created a home filled with warmth, connection, and tradition.
After raising her children, Sally worked as a bookkeeper while also faithfully caring for her mother, Nana.
In retirement, Sally and Rod built their home in Heathsville, Virginia, on Cod Creek, a tributary of the Chesapeake Bay. Their home became a gathering place for family, hosting a wedding, family reunions, and many celebrations. Today, the home is owned by Christine and Paul and continues to be a place where new memories are made.
Sally experienced the profound loss of her son Stephen at the age of 34, yet she continued to live with grace, faith, and compassion.
She was known for her gentle spirit, deep faith, and consistent kindness. Sally never spoke poorly of others and always chose to see the good in people. She expressed her love through cooking, service, and presence.
She was actively involved in her church community, singing in the choir, volunteering in the thrift shop, and supporting the local rescue squad.
After Rod’s passing in 2020, Sally lived with her daughter Christine and son-in-law Paul. In 2025, she moved into memory care, where she was deeply loved and cared for.
Sally will be remembered for her quiet strength, enduring faith, and the way she made people feel valued and loved.
Her legacy lives on in her family and all who knew her.
She will be deeply missed and forever cherished.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. Your support helps families and caregivers through free memory screenings, caregiver support and training, and educational programs. Donate | Alzheimer's Foundation of America
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