Sarah Cameron Jamieson

MADISON

Sally C. Jamieson beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away on Thursday, November 30, 2023, just shy of her 104^th birthday.

Sally was born in Atlanta on January 18, 1920, the daughter of the late Robert and Essie (Duckett) Cameron. After graduating from high school in Marietta, GA, she attended Brenau College in Gainesville, GA, graduating with a degree in music education. With the outbreak of World War II and having no brothers, Sally volunteered and joined a newly created Navy corps for women ‘The WAVES,’ or Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Services. She was the first woman from Cobb County, GA, to report for military duty. She was commissioned as Lieutenant in officer training at Smith College in Massachusetts and, post training, was assigned and served as a communications officer at the Navy base in Savannah, GA.  It was there that she met her future husband John G. Jamieson, also a Navy officer, stationed in Savannah.

After the war, the newlyweds moved to John’s hometown of Madison, WI where she attended the UW while John began a career in the investment business. Sally often said that this was the happiest time of her life as she thrived in the music school environment as she began raising her family. She was an outstanding pianist and organist and received her graduate degree in music in 1951. While raising her growing family Sally was very active in music circles in Madison where she was a founding member of the Madison Symphony Orchestra League, serving as president of that organization. Additionally, she served on the board of the MSO and was a member of the Madison Opera Guild and Schubert Music Club.

Sally was a member of Attic Angels Association where she volunteered in providing music programs for the residents as well as an active member of Christ Presbyterian Church where she served as an elder and deacon as well as on numerous committees.

From early on Sally had a thirst for knowledge and combined with her love of reading, was introduced to worlds and times far removed from her beloved Georgia. Tolstoy was her favorite author. Aside from her first love music, Sally collected antiques and was an enthusiastic student of classical art. When John started to lose his hearing, she studied finance and was able to assist him in his later working years. She loved gardening and would look forward to her gardening pal Larry Jacobsons visits when they would strategize their next projects over lunch.

Sally always put others’ needs first, was an empathetic listener with a beautiful, engaging smile who showed genuine interest in what was going on in their lives. She was rarely critical of others and preferred to see the good in each of us. She strove to live her faith and seemed to do so effortlessly. Sally greeted each day with youthful enthusiasm and a positive attitude, being ever aware of and eternally grateful for her many blessings.

Sally was preceded in death by her husband John. She is survived by her three children, Dr. Robert Jamieson of Nashville, John (Chip) of Madison, Ginny Jamieson of Middleton; four grandchildren, Christopher and Taylor of Nashville, Mike (Casey) Syvrud and Derek Hansen of Middleton; great-grandsons, Sullivan and Edison Syvrud.

A Celebration of Sally’s life will be held at 11 a.m. at Christ Presbyterian Church, 944 E. Gorham St., Madison, WI, on Thursday, January 18, 2024. Family will greet friends from 10 a.m. until the time of service. A luncheon will follow.

The family wishes to extend their deep appreciation for all the loving care of our mother to her caregivers and especially to those at our country’s premier Veterans Hospital, William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, donations may be made to support a music program of choice.

Please share your memories of Sally here on her tribute wall.

Cress Center

6021 University Ave. Madison

(608) 238-8406