Sally McNamara - Zajic

Sally Zajic, age 68, of Casper, Wyoming, passed away July 17, 2023.

           Sally I. McNamara-Zajic, or “Sha” as those who loved and knew her most called her, age 68 of Casper, Wyoming, passed away on July 17^th, 2023, at Central Wyoming Hospice in Casper.

            Sally was born in Casper, Wyoming to William and Elizabeth McNamara on May 2^nd, 1955. She grew up in Casper and attended Kelly Walsh High School. Sally attended Casper College and then dental hygiene school in 1975 through Sheridan College in Sheridan, Wyoming, with her good friend, Cindy. Sally worked alongside Dr. John Logan in Casper for many years and valued the great number of relationships which she developed through her work with him.

            Sally became a licensed Realtor in the state of Wyoming and worked with her dad, Bill McNamara, at McNamara Realty in Casper for many years. She loved working with her dad in the family company, which he had built. She learned much from him about real estate, about good work ethics and most importantly, about being a compassionate and loving person. Although Sally adored her time in real estate, her favorite moments during that period of her life were those spent at the office with her dad, as family was everything to Sally. Sally was a member of the National Association of Realtors until August, 2007.

             Sally met her husband, Kurt Zajic, in Casper in 1971 and they married at the young ages of 16 and 18 years old. Together they had three beautiful children, Jenna Christina, Colin and Michele. They were married for 51 years at the time of her passing. Across their relationship, their love for each other, friendship and marriage, they stuck by each other’s sides, in one way or another, through both good times and hardship, including the deaths of two of their children. Jenna passed away as an infant and Colin was called Home to be a warrior in God’s army at age 18. Michele was her mom’s right-hand gal and “sweet baby” up until the very last moments of Sally’s life. Not a single day went by that Michele and Sally wouldn’t talk on the phone or get together to see each other.

            Sally and Kurt have three wonderful grandchildren and one great-grandson. The four of them were Sally’s true light of her life and Sally would take any and every opportunity she had to speak of them to others. Whether she was bragging about their accomplishments, recounting times shared together or just letting others know about their individual personalities and character traits that made them each special to her, Sally truly loved them more than anything. They filled her heart with endless joy and brought such happiness into her world.

            As her children grew up, Sally loved being involved with everything in their lives. Her work as a realtor allowed her time to be a dedicated “room mother” at her children’s school. Sally spent many hours at Paradise Valley Christian School and Paradise Valley Elementary. Sally and her mom, Libby, loved to volunteer to help with all of the celebrations and gatherings. She was devoted to her children and grandchildren’s participation in various sports activities. She spent many years of Colin and Michele’s youth at the Mike Sedar BMX track. Her heart beamed as she watched Colin grow and play football. She loved watching Ethen play softball, loved hearing the beautiful sound of Abby singing and coming to watch Colter during soccer, track days or swim lessons.

           So many things made Sally’s heart light up. She loved her mom and dad greatly and enjoyed spending time with them, whether it was shopping with her mom, Libby, going to their house to swim with us kids or just being with them, she embraced all family moments. She was a die-hard Elway and Denver Broncos fan. She loved celebrating all holidays together, with her favorites being Christmas and St. Patty’s Day (she cherished and embraced her Irish heritage). She loved music and dancing, especially Stevie Nicks, Fleetwood Mac, BonJovi, ZZ Top and Adam Lambert. Sally was a singer and dancer herself in her early years and would tell many stories about how much she enjoyed performing with the Red Dog Saloon in Casper. Sally enjoyed the beauty of nature and would hold many conversations surrounding her amazement in all of God’s beautiful creations. She lived for the light and the warmth of the sun and would spend countless hours sunbathing in her chair. That was truly her happy place. She loved all animals and fed them all, whether they needed it or not. She loved her dogs, most recently Franklin and Willie, and enjoyed when she and Kurt took them on drives. They were just as much a part of the family to her as anyone else.

             Sally was raised in the Catholic faith. As the years progressed and her health and mobility declined, Sally remained faithful and watched both Catholic mass and Shepherd’s Chapel on her television and computer. She had a tremendous faith and belief in our Lord God. He carried her through many difficult journeys which she faced in her life, and through those trials, her faith only continued to grow stronger. She found refuge in Him and knew with everything inside of her that He was holding her hand and walking beside her down every path she took. Her soul was able to see and embrace the great beauty that her life here on earth held. Her spirit within her shone a beacon of light for all to see and feel, and, just like the sunlight that she loved so much, was warm, bright and comforting to all.

            Sally is survived by her husband, Kurt, her daughter, Michele (Andy, “Andrew Wayne”), her grandson, Ethen “George” (Chloe), her granddaughter, Abigael “Pumpkin Pie”, her grandson, Colter “Colter Bear” and her great-grandson, Micah Colin and her brother, William (Mary) McNamara, all of Casper. Niece, Mercedes (Dave) Hahn and their daughter, Emma, of Sea Girt, New Jersey. Nephew, Bo McNamara, of Laurel, Montana. Niece, McKenzie McNamara, of Denver, Colorado and her two sons. Sister-in-law, Kim Park of Windsor, Colorado, nephew, Brian Park of Ft. Collins, Colorado and his daughters, nephew, Seth (Kelsey) Park of Ft. Collins, Colorado and numerous family and cherished friends. We will miss her greatly. Sally is preceded in death by her daughter, Jenna, her son, Colin, her brother, Richard McNamara, her parents, William and Elizabeth McNamara, her father and mother-in-law, William and Patricia Zajic, her brother-in-law, Tony Park and many others whom she loved.

            Funeral services for Sally will be held at Bustard & Jacoby Funeral Home in Casper, Wyoming, on Saturday, July 29^th at 2:00 p.m. Chaplain Dave Mondle of Casper will officiate her services. A reception will follow services and be held at her daughter and son-in-law’s home in Evansville, Wy.

            Memorial donations may be made to Shepherd’s Chapel (Gravette, AR), St. Anthony’s church, Central Wyoming Hospice or the Red Cross. The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the many doctors and nurses who provided her treatment over the last three months at Wyoming Medical Center and the nurses and staff of Central Wyoming Hospice who made her feel at home and at ease her last few days.

            “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house, there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you myself, so that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14:1-7). We love you, Sha. Until we meet again.