Sarah Strout

Sarah Palmer Strout

Sarah "Sally" Palmer Strout, 86, died unexpectedly on March 26, 2025, at Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center near her home in Bangor, Maine with family by her side. Sally was born in Bangor, Maine on April 23, 1938, the daughter of Richard Stanley Palmer and Elaine Beatrice Reed. She was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Ronald "Ron" Strout.

Sally graduated from Bangor High School in 1956 and Pine Manor Junior College, Massachusetts, in 1958. In the late 1950's, Sally met Ron, and they were married on July 2, 1958, in Bangor. After Ron's service in the Army, they moved to Syracuse, New York where Ron worked in the television production industry. As the television business expanded, Sally and Ron moved to southeastern Virginia in 1966, where they raised their two children, Douglas and Stephen.

In Virginia, Sally kept busy with volunteer organizations and co-founded the Suicide Crisis Center in 1968 with the Portsmouth, Virginia Junior Women's Club and worked in several positions over the following 17 years including Executive Director in 1973. She also volunteered with the Northern Virginia Information and Counseling Center for Women and was the Executive Director of the Northern Virginia Chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving through the mid 1990s.

Sally enrolled as a student at Old Dominion University to pursue her studies in clinical psychology earning a Bachelor of Science degree in 1979. She continued her studies and lectured in Psychology and Community and Personal Health over the next couple of years and earned her Master of Science degree in Urban Studies and Public Administration. Sally was the recipient of several fellowships and was a member of Alpha Chi and Phi Kappa Phi honor societies.

In 1994, Sally and Ron retired to Bangor, Maine where Sally, following her passion for flowers, founded Creative Solutions, providing custom floral arrangements for weddings, receptions and special events. Through Creative Solutions, Sally provided floral design services for greater Bangor over the next 30 years.

Sally is survived by her sister and brother, Jane Prusinowski and Richard Palmer, Jr.; two sons, Douglas Strout and his wife Mary Beth McLeod and Stephen Strout and his wife Anne Strout; five grandchildren, Mallory, Catherine, Carson, Paige, and Norah; and two great grandchildren Henry, and Charlotte. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews and many other family members and friends who will sadly miss her.

Sally will be inurned along with her husband Ronald at Mount Hope Cemetery in Bangor. A Celebration of Life will be held at a future date for friends and family.

Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com.