Sally Julia Barretto

Sally Julia Barretto (nee Smith) was born December 10, 1936, to William and Margret Smith, in Torphins, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Growing up in Scotland, she was joined by her younger sister Olive, and attended Cambusbarron and Plean schools, and graduated from the High School of Stirling. From 1954 to 1957 she studied at the West of Scotland Teachers Training College, Jordanhill, Glasgow. While there, she met Ignacio (Joe) Barretto at a college dance and they were married August 6, 1960. Sally taught primary school in Stirlingshire and Glasgow. She and Joe had five children, Julia, Maria, Helen, Inez and Michael. Although reluctant to leave Scotland, the family moved from Glasgow to Ponteix, Saskatchewan in 1968, where Sally and Joe continued raising their children. She was welcomed to the community and made many wonderful friends. Sally was an active member of the community, starting the first Kindergarten class. She was also a member of the curling and bowling clubs. She was a member of the Lions Club for years and served as the treasurer. An avid antiques collector, especially fine china, she could be found hunting for bargains at auctions all across southern Saskatchewan. Sally was an avid reader and had a tremendous collection of books. A lifelong interest in history led her to take a course on Canadian Plains history through the University of Regina. In 1990, she helped to compile and edit the Ponteix History book.

Sally loved to travel, she and Joe made many trips back to Scotland and India, to visit friends and family. Above everything else she loved her family and enjoyed being a grandmother and great-grandmother.

She is predeceased by her father, William; mother, Margaret; younger sister, Olive Fordyce, and her grandson Thomas Sumners. She is survived by her husband, Ignacio Barretto; daughters, Julia Sumners and her children Troy Dickie, Reid Dickie, and Christopher Sumners; Maria Krammer (John Aucoin) and her children Fiona Provenzano (John, and children Milaina and Roman), Shani Krammer (Paul and Addison), Emma Akol (Mangok and children Grace and Lily); Helen Longpre (Kenny) and their children Heather Empey (Morgan and children Laken and Roslyn), Nicholas Longpre (Samantha and children Marshall, Isabella and Charlotte), Rachel Longpre (daughter Alessa), Inez Barretto and her children Kyle Barretto (Rebecca and daughter Cora), Holly Barretto, and Keiran Barretto; and son Michael (Katherine and daughter Aleah).

Her family would like to thank the staff at River Ridge Retirement Village for the compassionate and loving care they gave Sally. Fiercely proud of her Scottish heritage, Sally will be interred in Scotland, next to her beloved parents and sister. A Celebration of Life will be held for Sally at a later date. Charitable donations can be made in her name to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. 

“So, when tomorrow starts without me

Do not think we’re apart

For every time you think of me

Remember I’m right here in your heart.”

David Romano

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