HARRISON, Sarah “Sally” Varnum (Taylor), age 85, of Dedham, Massachusetts passed away peacefully at home on January 18, 2025.
Born on April 19, 1939, in Boston, MA to Varnum Taylor and Barbara (Scott) Taylor, Sally grew up in Dedham, MA and attended Beaver Country Day School in Chestnut Hill, MA (1957) and Hollins University in Roanoke, VA (1961).
After meeting at a dance, Sally married John H. Harrison, Jr. in 1962, and together they had two daughters, Sarah “Scottie” and Hilary. They enjoyed spending quality time with family on Cape Cod in both Megansett and Cataumet during the summertime, as well as vacationing at Horizons and Cottages in Bermuda annually. Sally took delight in playing tennis with family and friends and played in tennis clinics for many years at The Country Club in Brookline. She found joy in a good book, was a needlepoint extraordinaire, and loved fresh baked goods, particularly chocolate chip cookies. Her keen intellect was accompanied by a sharp wit. Fondly referred to as “Dama” by her grandchildren because her eldest granddaughter, Page, could not pronounce the “Gr” in Grandma, Sally cherished time spent with her children and grandchildren and took pride in their many accomplishments.
Predeceased by her husband, John H. Harrison, Jr., her brother, Timothy Taylor, and her brother, Jonathan Taylor, Sally is survived by her daughters, Sarah “Scottie” Cochran of Westwood, MA, and Hilary Harrison of Gloucester, MA, her grandchildren, Page and Hilary Cochran, and Sabrina and Ariel Eduardo, and her brother, William Taylor, of Gloucester, MA, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00am on February 7, 2025 at the First Church and Parish in Dedham with a reception following. The burial will be held privately with members of the family.