Sarah (Sally) Louise Logee Neel died of metastatic breast cancer on Oct. 28, 2023. She lived with the disease for six years, facing it with courage, grace, and the many prayers of her friends and family. She accepted her death with peace and strength.
Sally was born in Fort Worth and raised in Paris, Texas. She was part of a faithful and musical family. At an early age, she began to play piano. She played clarinet in school and was the pianist for the Paris “all boys jazz ensemble.” She was breaking barriers even in high school. It was there that Sally began studying the pipe organ. She had a strong alto voice and sang with school and Methodist church choirs.
Sally pursued her music education at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth. Emmet Smith, her organ instructor, praises her musical skills and remembers her one of his best students. While in college, she sang with the University and church choirs. Sally was also the assistant organist at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church. During her college years, she had the opportunity to study in Europe with some of the best organists of the 20th century, such as Jean Langlais and Marcel Dupre.
Following college, she played in large churches in Texas and in recitals around the United States. She sang with the Dallas Symphony Chorus and a select, professional choir called the Orphaeus Chamber Singers. Sally played organ for Symphony Chorus’ European tour. She was able to perform on some of the best organs, including J.S. Bach’s organ in Leipzig. She performed in the chapel used for the wedding scene for “The Sound of Music” and was accidentally locked in the graveyard where the Von Trapp family hid. Someone with a key found her before the concert started.
Sally moved to Pagosa Springs, Colo., with her husband, the Rev. Douglas Neel, in 2008. She quickly became involved in the arts, serving on the Curtains Up Pagosa and Music in the Mountains boards. She was the organist/choir director for St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church. In 2009, she began assisting with the popular Sunday Night Unplugged meditation and music. She worked for Big Brothers, Big Sisters; volunteered for Loaves and Fishes; directed the pit orchestra for Curtains Up Pagosa; and assisted in raising money for numerous community projects, including fundraising for Ruby Sisson library expansion. She also taught voice and piano students and supported arts in the schools.
Her involvement extended well beyond Pagosa Springs. Musician friends and Sally played for church conventions, clergy conferences and concerts around Colorado. By far her favorite musical experience was the Nightsong Trio, comprised of musicians from Pagosa Springs who also were Sally’s dear friends.
When first diagnosed, Sally began blogging about her experiences, thoughts and frustrations with the disease. The blog became very popular and was read by a large number of people all over the United States. Her blog touched a large number of people, especially women with breast cancer. Her writing became a true gift that she was able to give to those within and beyond our community
Sally will be remembered for her spirit and devotion to God; her love for family and for her the people of the churches where she played and attended; and for the Pagosa Springs community, especially the youth involved in theater and music. She had a strong sense of fairness and a positive outlook on life. Her family and friends know her as a fun-loving woman, always ready to share a pun or break into song.
Sally is survived by Fr. Douglas Neel, her husband of 34 years, as well as her son and stepchildren, Robert Neel, Katherine Williams, Charles Neel and Katherine’s spouse Chris; her mother, Jane Logee; and her siblings and their spouses, Dwight and Vicki Logee, Susie and Greg Dale, and Dick and Janie Logee. She is also survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly.
The funeral and burial office will be held on Dec. 1 at 2 p.m. at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church and will be followed by a reception. A memorial service will be held on Jan. 13 at First Methodist Church in Paris, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the music ministries at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Durango, St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church in Pagosa Springs, or to the outreach ministries at St. Augustine’s Creede, St. Stephen’s, Monte Vista.
