Sally Marie Durochik

Sally M. Durochik (Saari), 94, of Fairport Harbor passed away peacefully at her home on May 4, 2025 with family by her side. Sally was born on April 2, 1931 in Painesville, Ohio, the daughter of the late Pearl (Holson) and Mauno Saari of Fairport Harbor, Ohio.

Throughout Sally’s life she worked in various positions but not limited to a car hop at Charlies Drive-In, a mailgirl at Diamond Shamrock, a clerk at Equity Lumber, the church secretary at Zion Lutheran Church in Fairport Harbor, retiring as a deputy clerk from the Lake County Clerk of Courts.

She was a lifelong member of Zion Lutheran Church and was a member of Zion Lutheran Church women Mary-Martha Women’s Circle receiving a 50-year membership award. She was a choir member, a Sunday School teacher and with her family an active member of the Lutheran Fellowship Group. She danced as a Finnish Folk dancer with the Stubborn Finns group. She was also involved in the McKinley School (Fairport Harbor) PTA and worked many of the school carnivals with her husband.

Sally’s hobbies included making and sewing clothes for her children and was known for her handmade purses sold at Zion’s Christmas Bazaar. She spent much time in the kitchen cooking, canning and baking. She especially enjoyed baking cookies with her children. She followed the tradition of Nisu (Finnish bread) making, taught to her by her grandmother and passed along this tradition to her children and grandchildren. She could frequently be found picking grapes, plums, cherries, and crab apples from her yard. She then either canned them or made delicious pies from them. In her later years she spent hours tending to the vegetable and flower gardens in her yard. The latest being the many daffodils that bloomed in spring. Above all, she loved spending time with her family and could be found supporting and attending family events.

Sally was preceded in death by her husband John of 73 years and her son Michael Vernon. Sally is survived by her daughters Debra Hambor, Denise Kee, Darlene Durochik and Donna (David) Dominish. Grandchildren Robert (Lulu) Hambor, Christopher (Jennifer) Kee, Eric (Amanda) Kee, Courtney (Andrew) Banghart, Alex (Kayleigh) Dominish. Great-Grandchildren Tyler, Colten, Kyrsten, Harper and Harrison Kee. Sister Diane Torkko, sisters-in-law Anne Schwartz and Elaine Wood and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

The family would like to thank her Hospice Mentor Care Team, Amber, Rose, Rachel, John, Kerri, Natalia, Rose Marie and Monica.

A funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Zion Lutheran Church, 508 Eagle Street, Fairport Harbor, Ohio. Visitation will be from 5-8pm on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at the Potti & Marc F. Burr Funeral Homes 538 5th Street, Fairport Harbor, OH. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Memorial Fund at Zion Lutheran Church, 508 Eagle Street, Fairport Harbor, OH 44077.