FRESNO - It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Sally Caglia, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. Born on April 20, 1947, in Fresno, California, Sally peacefully departed this life on December 10, 2023, in her home, surrounded by the warmth and love of her children.

Sally attended Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, San Joaquin Memorial High School, and Fresno City College. She worked in her family’s businesses all her life. Starting at a young age as a cashier at Orange Avenue Disposal and ending as the Executive Assistant at the Electric Motor Shop, Sally worked tirelessly to ensure the viability and success of the Caglia family’s commercial legacy and its philanthropic contributions to the Fresno community.

Sally will be fondly remembered by everyone who knew her for her adventurous spirit, passion for travel, fishing, and the arts, devoted civic engagement, and love of leopard print and turquoise jewelry! Sally was always ready to pack a suitcase and get on an airplane or a cruise ship. Some of her favorite trips were with the Rotary Club to Australia, India, and Tanzania, with the Catholic Church to Israel and Palestine, and with the National Geographic ship to Antarctica. She also traveled worldwide to be with her globetrotting children and grandchildren.

Quick to laugh and always smiling, Sally never met a stranger. She has hosted numerous foreign exchange students and wayward travelers (often sent her way by her kids) and has supported the education of many local and international students. Recognized as one of the best cooks in her large Italian family, Sally always had a wine cake in the oven or on a plate to give as a gift. She would often host ravioli-making parties for the holidays, offering instructions to the next generation on how to make the cheese filling or the meat sauce.

Described as a woman who “walks the walk” and “gets things done,” Sally was forever on the go. She always said, “I’ll call you back,” to whoever was on the phone as she ran into the next meeting or event. She was involved in countless local and international organizations, charities, boards, and fund-raisers, including the Cultural Arts Rotary Club, Cultural Arts District Association, Fresno/Clovis Convention and Visitors Bureau Research and Development Board, the Fresno Chamber of Commerce, the City of Fresno Historic Preservation Commission, the Warnor’s Center for the Performing Arts, Storyland and Jazz, the Shenzen Stroll, St. John’s Cathedral annual carnival, the Italian museum at Fresno State, and the St. Elia Festival, to name only a few. Sally received numerous honors and awards for her philanthropic work. However, she was most proud of the Leon S. Peters Award, issued to business leaders who embody the spirit of service, community engagement, and the philanthropy of its namesake. Sally was tremendously honored to have been the third member of her family to receive the award and often said that she couldn’t believe it.

There was no greater joy for her than being recognized for following in the footsteps of her beloved brother, Dick Caglia, and her father, Frank Caglia. While Sally’s life was filled with many adventures and precious moments, one of the highlights of her life was volunteering at a Rod Stewart concert. Her volunteer role found her backstage, where she had the “privilege” of ironing Rod Stewart’s shirt. Recounting the thrill of “touching his shirt” always brought a smile to her face and a twinkle to her eye.

Sally is survived by a large and loving family including her four children, Noelle Iles, John Hester, Rebecca Darche Hester, and Andrea Olsen; her five grandchildren, India Iles, Ella Iles, Jack Hester, Jean Baptiste Hester-Dorbe and Sophia Hester-Dorbe; her siblings Dick Caglia, Vince Caglia, Mary Ann Caglia, Bernadette Boyle, and Rose Caglia, and countless cousins, and nieces and nephews, who she loved as much as she loved her own children. In addition to her parents, Frank and Florence Caglia, she was preceded in death by a brother, Joseph Caglia. The family is grateful to all those who provided care to her over these last few years and those who loved her throughout her life. She was a very special person who touched many people. She will be greatly missed.

A rosary for Sally will be held at Holy Spirit Church, 355 E. Champlain Dr., on December 27th at 9:30 am. The service will be held right after 10:00 am with a lunch at Pardini’s. The family has asked that guests wear a touch of leopard print or turquoise jewelry in celebration of Sally’s life. At her request, we will play Rod Stewart at the lunch.

In lieu of sending flowers, please consider donating to one of Sally’s favorite charities: School of St. Jude in Tanzania, Africa; Fresno County Historical Society; Nancy Hinds Hospice; Cultural Arts Rotary Club Foundation; PBS Fresno; or the Wounded Warriors Foundation.