Sarah Eileen 'Sally' Casey, 86
Whitefish Pilot | UPDATED 2 weeks, 2 days AGO
Sarah Eileen "Sally" Casey (née Cannon), 86, of Kalispell, passed away Nov. 6, 2025, of natural causes.
Sally Cannon entered the world on Feb. 7, 1939, during a blizzard in Glendive. Her mother, undaunted by labor pains, walked several snowy blocks to the hospital. Sally always joked that this frosty beginning was why she was always cold.
The daughter of Harvey and Rose (Knoll) Cannon, Sally's childhood followed the tracks of the Northern Pacific Railroad where her father was an engineer, moving through towns like Glendive, Dickinson, Duluth, and Mandan before settling in Spokane. After graduating from Holy Names Academy and attending Gonzaga University, Sally married Lance Beecher in 1959. They had two daughters, Polly Sue and Heidi Marie, and eventually moved to Whitefish. After her divorce, Sally met her true love, Pat Casey, owner of Casey's Bar. They were married for 30 years until Pat's passing in 2017.
Tall and lean with radiant skin and impeccable style, Sally was a talented seamstress and designer, creating unique garments that reflected her creativity. Her bold personality and honesty endeared her to many. She loved traveling, celebrating traditions, and gathering friends and family — especially on Thanksgiving and St. Patrick's Day at Casey's Bar.
Sally spent most of her career as a loan officer at First National Bank in Whitefish. She found comfort in her faith communities and cherished her Shih Tzu dogs, who brought her endless joy. Despite her fun-loving nature, Sally showed quiet strength, especially after losing her daughter Polly Sue to cancer.
She was preceded in death by her parents, daughter Polly, husband Pat, brothers, James and Donald, and sister Marilyn. Sally is survived by daughter Heidi Fox and grandson Ethan Fox, granddaughter Andrea Barton, brother Gary Cannon, and many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by Michael and Denise Casey of Whitefish and their children, Danny, Rachel, and Catherine, who knew her as Grandma. Denise was her steadfast caregiver, ensuring weekly visits from Sally's cherished Shih Tzu, KC, during her final years at Immanuel Living in Kalispell.
A celebration of Sally's life will take place in Whitefish in June 2026, where her ashes will be laid to rest beside Pat and Polly Sue at Whitefish Cemetery. Sally's vibrant spirit leaves a lasting impression on all who knew her. May her memory bring comfort to those who carry it forward.
