It is with great sadness that the family of Sally Lou Hanchett Rivers (74) of Springfield, MA announces her passing on August 12, 2018 surrounded by her family and friends. Sally leaves her husband of 53 years, Michael D. Rivers and her beloved children, daughter Jennifer S. Cole of Boston, son Andrew J. Rivers of Sturbridge and daughter Julie A. Rivers of Watertown and their families. She leaves her cherished grandchildren Elise, Hollis and Miles. She also leaves her devoted sister, Ann Mortell, brother James Hanchett IV, treasured nieces Karen, Christine and Katie and nephews Francis, Richard, Michael and Thomas and their families, including many grandnieces and grandnephews whom she loved dearly. Sally was predeceased by her sister, Susan Hanchett and nephews Daniel and James V. Sally was born in Columbus Grove, Ohio, daughter of the late Pauline (née Jones) and James L. Hanchett III. She grew up in West Springfield and lived in Springfield for the remainder of her life. Sally graduated from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and obtained her Master's Degree in Counseling from Westfield State University after she raised her children. She dedicated her entire career to Social Services, focusing mainly on helping women and children. She also worked for years on the Mt. Tom Crisis Team, helping those with emerging crisis situations. After retirement, she worked as a volunteer reading local news and information to the reading impaired. She took up quilting and showered her loved ones with her beautiful and thoughtful handiwork. She loved nature and camping, birding and her Boxer dogs who were her faithful friends. Sally loved music and her eclectic taste spanned continents, genres and eras. She was an excellent cook, baker and hostess, though everything she did was done with an unassuming grace that never commanded attention or thanks. Sally was the picture of acceptance and tolerance. Her kindness and non-judgmental ability to believe in the good in all people was unparalleled. She never gave up on people and never asked for a thing in return. Sally kept every confidence, accepted all responsibility and was someone anyone could depend upon unconditionally. Whenever we see something special – the first robin of spring or hear a peaceful melody, we'll always think of you, beautiful Sally Lou. A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, August 27, 2018 at The Carriage House at the Barney Estate, Forest Park, Springfield, MA between the hours of 4 – 8pm. Friends and family are welcomed to honor Sally's life. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association's Walk to End Alzheimer's Disease in Holyoke, MA through "Team Sally Lou" at http://act.alz.org/goto/Team-Sally-Lou