Sally A. Gaines, age 93, of Farmington Hills, passed away Tuesday, March 25, 2025.

Sally was born February 27, 1932, in Detroit, the daughter of Leighton B. and Jennie (Pierce) Potter.  She met her first love at Bushnell Congregational Church, and later married the same, Donald R. Gaines, on September 1, 1954.  They shared 69 years of marriage and adventure.

Sally attended Wayne State University and obtained her Bachelor Degree in Library Sciences and then a Master's Degree in Library Sciences at the University of Michigan.

Sally's life was dedicated to acts of service, from being a children's librarian at the Farmington Community Library, to knitting Afghans for others, gardening, and canning pickles and jam.  she served on the Board of Trustees of the Farmington Community Library 1973 to 1979 and 1994 to 2004.  She also set up the libraries at Stepping Stone School for the Gifted and Meadowbrook Congregational Church.

She was the bookkeeper for the family businesses of Novo Products Inc. and Design & Development Inc.

She had a fierce belief in family with Sunday dinners every week and ritual family gatherings with the whole family.

One of Sally's favorite sayings was, "Once satisfaction is reached, the glue will begin to set". She was always striving to improve and learn more.

In honor of her memory, please always read, strive to be better, and give back to your community.

Sally was the beloved wife of the late Donald; loving mother of Donald L. Gaines, Susan Brandon, and David Gaines; cherished grandmother of Leighton Gaines and Natalie Gaines.  In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death  by her sister, Judith Carol Potter Trethric.

The Gaines family will receive guests on Friday, March 28, from 4-8 pm, at the funeral home.

A memorial service is being planned for Saturday, March 29, 2 pm, at Meadowbrook Congregational Church, 21355 Meadowbrook Rd, Novi.

Interment will take place at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly.

Memorial tributes may be directed to the Farmington Community Library.