Sally Marie Phoenik Greb was born on October 25, 1961 and raised in Allison Park, PA by her loving parents, the late Robert and Mary Phoenik. Sally attended North Allegheny High School in Wexford, PA, where she was scholastically at the top of her class. She was a member of the National Honor Society as well as the Future Business Leaders of America and served on the staff of the newspaper (“North Star”). Sally co-captained the field hockey team and competed in both track and cross country. In 1979, Sally received a congressional nomination and joined the U.S. Military Academy Class of 1983.

At West Point, Sally was assigned to company E-1, where she met Lorraine Lesieur, Linda Weltz, Nancy Pelkey, Linda Spenny, and Kathryn Paul. Sally and the women of 1983 realized early on that, to persevere through four years at West Point, they would need each other and the bond that only sisterhood could deliver. It is this connection that would only grow over time.

Sally and Kathryn were “scrambled” to A-4 and became roommates for the next three years. The roommates had much in common, spending long hours talking while preparing for “SAMI.” Amongst other things, both had mothers with debilitating health issues and both felt guilty for not being able to care them. However, with strong spirits and much prayer both mothers lived to see Sally and Kathryn graduate.

Sally was one of the strongest women runners in the class, lettering for both the Women’s Track & Field and Cross Country teams. As a firstie, she was elected as the captain of the Cross Country Team. Sally led the team to an undefeated dual-meet season and extended the team’s winning streak to 30. Sara (Fotsch) Potecha recounted running many miles with Sally through the cold and heat and rain and snow. Their strength and determination to endure encouraged one another as well as their teammates.

A classmate penned in the ’83 Howitzer: “’Sal’ is one of the few people at West Point who never stopped smiling for the entire four years. She looked at the bright side of everything and always found something good to say about everyone.”

Sally met Gerry Greb ’81 in A-4. She was smitten, and, despite the heavy academic workloads and intercollegiate athletics, their relationship blossomed. Their bond was a special one. Sally and Gerry were wed two years after graduation and for the next 34 years built a strong and loving family.

Sally rose to the rank of cadet lieutenant and branched into the Quartermaster Corps (QM). Upon completing her QM Officer Basic Course, she was stationed in Frankfurt and then Hanau, Germany. Here Sally’s lifelong love for the German language and culture solidified. In Germany, Sally and Gerry welcomed their daughter, Sarah.

Sally attended the QM Officer Advanced Course and was stationed at Fort Riley, KS, serving as the division property manager. Here, Sally and Sara Potecha reconnected and shared the joys of welcoming the birth of children and sharing babysitting duties. Sally excelled in all her roles as a lieutenant and captain, proudly serving until 1988.

Upon leaving the Army, Sally and Gerry added to their family with the birth of their son, Ben, and daughter Mary. Throughout her life, Sally was a devoted wife to Gerry and an adoring mother to her children and a loving “Oma” to her grandchildren: Ethan, Phoenix, and Emerson. Sally would frequently visit the boys at school to read stories and take them to wonderful activities at the Virginia Beach libraries, Bible ministry (Awana), music, and gymnastic classes.

Sally’s devout faith was the cornerstone of her life. She was quite active in her local moms in prayer chapter and volunteered with Awana at Spring Branch Community Church. She took part in church choirs, taught Sunday School, and volunteered in the church nursery. Music was a huge component of her life, as she played piano and sang. Sally recently wrote, “Lord, I pray my children and grandchildren of all generations to come will be life-changers, changing the world for you! I pray for myself that I would be known as a woman of integrity.”

Living her faith, Sally stayed connected with many of her classmates and attended Women of ’83 reunions. Recently, Sally led a prayer vigil for Sara Potecha’s pregnant daughter and rejoiced when her grandson was born healthy and her daughter’s health was restored. Sally stayed the course throughout the ordeal demonstrating her consistent, loving character.

“When I heard of her passing, I felt as though part of me had gone with this gentle soul. I wanted more time with my ‘sister,’ more deep conversations and more running together. I know that Sally is now in our Savior’s arms, and for that, although heartbroken, I know I will see my friend again,” wrote her friend Sara.

Her classmates will always remember Sally lacing up her shoes in the cadet barracks to go on her daily training run carrying her trademark determined smile as she left the room. Later in life, true to her motto, “be strong,” Sally could still be seen lacing up her running shoes with her gracious, perpetual smile, a window to her soul.

We weep with her family at her sudden passing and offer this verse to remind us of where Sally derived both her perseverance and gentle character: “Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31.