Sarah V. Parkes (Cannon) Service Information

Sarah V. Parkes, age 82, of Sea Isle City, NJ, died Monday, May 3, 2021, at her niece’s home in Wellington, FL.

Born July 9, 1938, in Philadelphia, she was the daughter of the late John and Cecelia Whoriskey Cannon, and the widow of the late William J. Parkes II to whom she was married 57 years at the time of his passing in 2016.

Raised in West Philadelphia with 5 siblings and too many relatives to count, Sally had an active and fun filled upbringing.  Married to Bill Parkes in 1958, she embraced his family and soon started her own.  She brought a quiet strength, resilience, and grace to raising her family, traits that were admired by many.  She always made people feel welcome in her presence - family and friends were the center of her life.  Many will remember the all-day picnics in Pennypack Park early on, hayrides on Cameron Dr. in Holland, weekends in the Pocono’s, and of course, summers in Sea Isle (can’t remember how many times she and Maureen O’Donnell fed and found beds for 20+ people on 51^st St. and 52^nd St.) – memories we cherish.

Sally was very grounded in her Catholic faith and found peace in her relationship with God.  An active parishioner of St. Jerome in Philadelphia, St. Bede in Holland and St. Joseph in Sea Isle, she regularly attended Mass, believed in the power of prayer and was a companion to the sick in hospice care. 

She is now at peace and reunited with her beloved Bill and family/friends, and probably celebrating together by dancing the Mummers Strut or attempting the Siege of Ennis.  She was proud of and enjoyed both her Philadelphia and Irish heritage – think of her smiling on the dance floor.

Sally is survived by:  sons William J. Parkes III, and wife Kathleen, J. Bradford Parkes and wife Teresa, Gregory Parkes and wife Claire;  daughter Eileen Parkes Burke and husband James Jr.; grandchildren William J. Parkes IV, Samantha Parkes Rondinelli, Sarah Parkes Barry, Bridget Parkes Hoffman, Molly Parkes, J.B. Parkes, Kristen Parkes Ulrich, Brian Parkes, James Burke III and Nora Burke; great-grandchildren William J. Parkes V (Liam), Seamus Parkes, Siobhan Barry, and Winnie Parkes. In addition to her husband and parents, Sally is preceded in death by son James Parkes, and granddaughter Kaitlyn Parkes.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 12:00 PM on Wednesday, June 2, 2021, at St. Bede the Venerable Catholic Church, 1071 Holland Road, Holland, PA 18966, with calling hours starting at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow at Our Lady of Grace Cemetery, Langhorne.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Sarah’s honor to “The Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House”, 3925 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, PA  19104 or online at www.Philarmh.org.

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