Sally Jo Kodz

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Sally Jo Kodz (formerly Boyer) on Tuesday, March 17^th, 2026, at the age of 74, following a short acute illness that began around 2023.

Born on October 16^th, 1951, in South Charleston, West Virginia, USA, Sally lived in many places throughout her childhood, including Sicily, Italy—where she often spoke fondly of seeing Mount Etna—and Montreal.  Her family moved frequently with her father’s career, giving her a rich and varied upbringing.  In her twenties, she lived in Toronto, Canada, where she worked for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation on the Max Ferguson Show.  She studied fashion in the 1970s, a skill she carried throughout her life, creating clothing and knitting beautifully for her family.  Alongside her textile talents, she loved gardening, cooking, and preserving foods, and her baking is still fondly remembered by her son’s friends.

Sally began her family with John in 1978 and raised her children in the rural beauty of Arden, Ontario before moving to Shropshire, UK in 1981 to raise her young boys together with him. She returned to Canada in 1986, settling in Glengarry County to be closer to her family. There, she worked hard to retrain in the profession she loved most—helping people as a Registered Nurse at the Hawkesbury and Alexandria hospitals—a career she took great pride in.  She lived for many years in Glengarry, retiring in 2017, before beginning a new chapter in Barrie in 2018 with the support of Andrew and Brandi.  She cherished her summer visits to see Joe and his family in the UK and France.  Sally was a member of Burton Avenue United Church in Barrie and, before her health declined, enjoyed worshipping both in person and later online.

She is survived by her two sons: her eldest, Andrew Sugden of Barrie, Ontario, and his wife Brandi Bailey, and she was a loving grandmother to their children Adam, Leigh, and Owen; and her youngest son, Joseph Sugden of Telford, UK, and his wife Heather Sugden, and grandmother to their children Lyla and Willow.  She is also survived by her siblings Steven Boyer, Jan Mason, Kimberly Boyer, and Paul Boyer.  Sally was preceded in death by her brother Micheal Boyer her mother Jo-Anne Boyer (formerly Brown), and her father Joseph Boyer.

Sally requested that no formal services be held.  Instead, those who knew her are encouraged to remember her in their own way.  The family honours her wish for a quiet passing.

Memorial contributions are welcome at the Canadian Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation