Sally Baum

Charlton – Sally (Kingston) Baum passed away peacefully in her home at The Overlook on October 9, 2025 at 92 years old.

Born in Melrose MA and raised in Watertown MA. She attended Trinity Church in Boston where she met her husband of nearly 70 years, Roy E. Baum. She pursued her education at Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA, and earned her bachelor's degree in education. They married and moved to Amherst, MA soon after, Sally working as an educator while Roy completed his bachelor’s degree at the University of Massachusetts. Roy often joked that she was the one who truly deserved that diploma. They would go on to settle in Sturbridge, MA where they raised their three children; Susan, Deborah and Stephen. While in Sturbridge she spent 27 years as a teacher at Burgess Elementary School.

As their family grew older, the Baums spent countless hours outside, on the water, camping, traveling to new places. They made fast friends with others in their Walker Pond neighborhood, many of whom shared their appreciation for an active lifestyle. With the help of many, including their lifelong friends Bill and Judy McClurg, they built a ski home in Vermont that became the setting for countless year-round memories. The friendships they made in Sturbridge continued for the remainder of Sally’s life, gathering together every Friday night for dinner, which eventually transitioned to a joyful Friday lunch group.

Sally’s greatest joy was being a grandmother and eventually great grandmother. She extended this love beyond her immediate family, caring deeply for her great nieces as her own, never forgetting a birthday or missing an occasion to celebrate. Sally will be profoundly missed by both her family and her community.

A vibrant member of the Overlook community, Sally participated actively in various events at the Overlook and was a devoted member of the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Southbridge. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family and friends.

Sally is survived by her two daughters: Susan R. Durkin, Deborah A. Somadelis and her husband Jeffrey of Auburn, as well as five grandchildren: Michael, Emily, Caitlin, Jeffrey, and Gabrielle, and seven great grandchildren Bennett, Everett, Callum, Marley Rose, Hudson, Isabella and Natalie.

Sally was preceded in death by her husband Roy, son Stephen R. Baum, her son-in-law Thomas S. Durkin JD, her parents John and Ruth Kingston, as well as her sister Pricilla Rollins, and her brother John Kingston Jr.

In lieu of flowers please consider contributing to one of the following: Coalition to Cure Calpain 3; The Honorable Thomas S. Durkin JD’85 Memorial Scholarship: Joslin Diabetes Center.

Services to honor Sally Baum will be held on Monday, October 27 at 11AM, at the Overlook Chapel, 88 Masonic Home Road, Charlton, MA 01507, burial will follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery, Southbridge, MA.

Arrangements are being made by the Belanger Bullard Funeral Home, 51 Marcy Street, Southbridge.

An online guestbook and tribute video will be available at belangerfuneralhome.com