Francella Sally Kohnke-Towne

Francella ‘Sally’ Towne

Born Sept. 26, 1918 in Gardner, Massachusetts
Eldest of five children

Studied accounting and was extremely precise, avid book keeper throughout her long life. Even though left-handed, she won awards for her careful penmanship.

She met Bill Kohnke, who was born and raised in Arizona, while he was stationed back East during WWII. Upon Bill’s return from fighting in Europe, they married and moved to Arizona where they purchased a Sears Western-style boxcar-ordered home, built in the early 1900’s.

Sally was postmistress at the historical Kirkland post office, located at the corner of their property, for 30 years. During this time, Bill was a Standard Oil bulk plant operator and supplied ranches and small gas stations with a complete range of Chevron products.

Upon retiring, Sally and Bill traveled to as many countries as possible. In addition to exploring Canada and British Columbia, they often made extended journeys deep into Baja California and other areas in Mexico, Central and South America when travel and camping were truly adventurous. They often caravanned with other couples and Bill was well known and appreciated for his knack at auto and truck repairs. He was known for repairing heavy equipment for the Santa Fe Rail Road and anything that had a motor and wheels. They both often helped total strangers who were stranded along the road or fellow travelers with no regard to his own expenses or time spent.

Sally was always up for the adventure of a new place to visit or sight to see. Even well into her eighties, she delighted in roller coasters, jeep and jet boat rides. The faster and more exciting, the better in her opinion.

Sally and Bill were married for more than 57 years. Their Fiftieth Wedding Anniversary party was a huge success with friends and family attending from across the country. Everyone danced the night away, just as Sally and Bill had done many times before.

After Bill’s death in 1993, Sally moved to a newly constructed home in Sun Village, Surprise, and she continued to commute between the Valley and her home in Kirkland.

After a few years of widowhood, in her early 80’s, she married a longtime friend, Fred Towne. Together they enjoyed Kirkland, some travels, and the Surprise home. One of the greatest joys in Sally’s life was when Fred introduced her to ‘Patches’, a pure-bred German Pointer Hunting dog which he purchased and had trained.

Patches became Sally’s constant companion after Fred passed, and she again was a widow. Sally delighted in feeding treats to Patches, taking her on car rides, long runs in the open desert, and allowing her to roam free in the yard at her Kirkland home.

Sally was an avid reader. Even when her eyesight was dimming due to advanced age, and she was in great physical pain, she continued to devour books on a wide range of subjects. Among her favorites were historical accounts and adventures, travel stories, mysteries, and inspirational accounts. Her sense of humor was keen, and she enjoyed listening to recordings of early radio shows like “Amos and Andy”, etc.

She was an independent, and tremendously generous, lady well ahead of her time in attitude and love of adventure. Like most of her contemporaries, often called the ‘greatest generation’, she was a doer, a person of action who held strong values and beliefs. There was nothing half-way or Luke-warm about Sally. She lived a life that all of us would be hard pressed to match in its zest and vigor. Even in the most advanced of years she was inspiring for her courage and undefeated spirit.