Sally Seyller

Sally Susan Seyller (Puro) passed away peacefully on January 4, 2026, following an eight-year struggle with dementia.

Born on May 28, 1943, in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, Sally made Vermont her lifelong home and held a deep love for its natural beauty, four seasons, welcoming people, and abundant wildlife—especially birds. She was a fierce advocate for animal rights and a devoted supporter of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, always championing the underdog and those in need. Sally especially loved dogs, and opened her home to many rescue dogs over the years.

Sally was predeceased by her beloved husband, Gary Ivan Seyller Sr. of Mount Holly, Vermont; her parents, Irma (Ojala) Zentz and John Puro; her sister, Elsie (Puro) Shaw; her brother, John Puro; and the matriarch of the family, her maternal grandmother Zella “Aiti” Ojala of Mount Holly, Vermont.

She is survived by her son, Gary Ivan Seyller Jr. (Leyla Seyller); her daughters, Sharon Seyller (Margaret Maccini) and Kristin Veysey (Thomas Veysey); six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Sally adored her family and took great joy in spoiling and spending time with her grandchildren whenever she could.

Proud of her Finnish heritage, Sally embodied the Finnish concept sisu, which she defined as “tenacity of purpose against all odds.” Sally overcame many challenges throughout her life and in 1985 committed to lifelong sobriety. In 2003, she made a meaningful journey to Finland with her husband Gary and daughter Kristin, where they were able to visit the final resting place of her namesake, as well as immerse herself in the culture and language.

A self-taught chef, Sally had a remarkable ability to transform any recipe into something gourmet, relying on simple, fresh ingredients and an intuitive approach to cooking. She looked forward to annual family gatherings at “The Grange,” where for many years she welcomed all family members: her children and grandchildren, siblings, nieces, nephews, partners, cousins and children, making everyone feel at home.

Sally loved plants and flowers, and the many gardens that she and Gary planted were her pride and joy. In years past, she won several blue ribbons at the Vermont State Fair for the award-winning gladiolas that she treasured. Her love of flowers was rivaled by her love of reading, and she owned thousands of books, many of them first editions.

She grew up spending summers at the Ojala Farm in Mount Holly with her grandparents. As a result of these wonderful childhood memories, Sally decided to move back to the special place where she and Gary would raise their family. Sally and Gary eventually purchased the historic one-room school house from her grandmother, where Sally and her mother Irma both attended as children. Gary and Sally cherished their home and lived out their lives there. They spent many evenings on their back deck admiring the wildlife, especially the deer and their young. Sally often shared that love and experience with her grandchildren.

Her strength, generosity, and quiet determination will be remembered always by those who loved her.
In accordance with Sally’s wishes, all services will be private. She was extremely generous to both St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the Rutland County Humane Society, and anyone wishing to honor her memory is encouraged to send a contribution to either organization in her name.

Her family is deeply grateful for the exceptional care she received at Crescent Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Bennington, Vermont, and for the compassionate support provided by the Bayada Hospice team during her final weeks.