Sally Elizabeth (Ware) Waters

September 17, 1956 - March 19, 2023

The world has lost a peacemaker.

True to her middle-child status, Sally Waters made her mark on the world as a mediator, a facilitator, a rights advocate, a nurturer, a healthy debater, a conflict resolver, and always, a believer in hugging things out.

She was born in Omaha, Nebraska, the third child of parents Elizabeth Diane (Thomas) Ware (deceased March, 2022) and Dr. Frederick Ware (currently residing in Omaha). Because family was paramount to Sally, this obituary will mention many family members, including her fiercely-loved stepmother, Charlott Johnson Ware (deceased 2020).

In addition to her mother and stepmother, Sally was preceded in death by older sister, Mary Diane Treloar (d. 1990), younger half brother Benjamin Ware, younger half brother Nicholas Ware, sister-in-law Theresa Ware, and sister-in-law Julia Cates.

With her devoted father, Fritz, she is survived by her anchor and wife of 25 years, Susan K. Waters, and their three children: Marcella Hope Waters, Morell Mae Waters, and Arden Rae Waters. Also, brother Frederick Ware (Julia Cates, d.), brother Thomas Ware (Naomi Ware; Theresa Ware, d.), sister Dana Ware Willett (James Willett), and half sister Andrea Ware-Medina (Patrick Ware-Medina). Claiming "favorite aunt" status, Sally also leaves behind nephews Alexander (Jessica), Matthew (Brian), Spencer (Tenisha), Luke (Mai), Samuel, Benjamin, and niece, Rachel. Lovingly tended family relations also include her aunt Tanya, cousins Miesje, Carol, and Chris, and their families.

Sally's determined battle with stage IV breast cancer, diagnosed in 2013, brought metastasis, pain, and year-over-year revisions to her life expectancy, consistently astounding medical staff.

It also brought love and connection from family members and friends dating back to her early school days at Brownell-Talbot Prep, high school at Omaha's Central High, many years at University of Nebraska-Omaha, and the span of her impressive career. Fluent in French, interpretive dance, and myriad art forms, the connectedness in Sally's life carried her day to day and week to week. Prioritizing relationships, she maintained contact with scores of groups and individuals, including:

• Colleagues and students from UNO's Intensive Language Program (ESL) and International Professional Development Department
• Peers at UC Davis where she served as Director of Organizational Development Services
• Coworkers at Omaha's First Data Resources (where she specialized in Diversity & Career Pathing)
• Her beloved "Nines" Enneagram group
• UNO's "The Moving Company" modern dance troupe
• Members of Northside Christian Church of Omaha (where she freely expressed herself through sacred dance)
• Associates at National Indemnity Company, Clarkson Regional Health Services & College, and Mutual of Omaha
• Project Pink'd Dare to Thrive cancer survivors
• Clients and partners through her own consultancy, Waters Associates

That consultancy, and its "Waters'' name, reveals her strongest life bond: her wife, life partner, and biggest fan, Susan. In addition to the significant impact Sally and Susan have had on their three adopted children, together they fought alongside the ACLU of Nebraska in 2014 as lead plaintiffs in Nebraska's marriage equality case, making history in that legal triumph. Sally & Susan's consistent work for LGBTQ+ rights invited many souls into Sally's circle of acceptance and love.

The floodgates of condolences include common descriptive themes for Sally:

COURAGEOUS  ❤ GENEROUS ❤ AUTHENTIC ❤ COLORFUL ❤ EMBRACING ❤ SPIRITED ❤ JOYFUL ❤ TRUE ❤ CHERISHED ❤ ENCOURAGING ❤ NAKED ❤ LAUGHING ❤ RADICAL ❤ SUPPORTIVE ❤ UNAPOLOGETIC ❤ DANCING

Those of us who knew her well hope she is comfortable in a just-right chair, wearing layers of color and sentimental favorites, luxuriating in a meaty book, with a view out the window, her feet uncovered, a light breeze flowing, a cat and a dog in her lap, lyrical music playing, a scotch at her side, and within earshot of the noisy lives and conversations of all the beings she loved so passionately.

A Service of Remembrance will be held in Omaha later in April, with Pastor Nancy Brink (who married Sally & Susan - twice!) presiding. Details will be announced through Caring Bridge .

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the University of Nebraska-Omaha's " The Moving Company " Dance Troupe, Nebraska's Valley County Health System Hospice , and the Nebraska ACLU .