Sally Stageman Bullen

Sally Jean (Stageman) Bullen, of Clarkston, died peacefully the afternoon of September 5th at the age of 91.  She was surrounded by her loved ones.

Born July 22, 1934 in Detroit, Michigan, Sally was the was the oldest of three children, and only daughter, of Dr. John and Leola Mae Stageman.  She grew up in Clarkston, MI, where she graduated from Clarkston High School in 1952.  Sally was a social girl with many friends, none closer than her two best friends, MaryLou Althouse and Maxine Sage Dickerson.  It was also during her high school years that she met the love of her life, Tom Bullen, a friend of her younger brother, John.

After high school, Sally studied at Michigan State University for two years.  Her marriage to Tom and her first child, Linda, moved her to Ann Arbor, MI; the first of many moves around the Midwest as she supported her husband's career and kept very busy caring for her rapidly growing family. Ultimately, she returned to Clarkston, where she resided until she passed.

Sally loved to travel, and there were numerous family road trips across the country in the family station wagon.  Her favorite destination was Marathon Key in Florida.  Marathon became an annual trek for many years, and the Keys remain a holiday destination for much of Sally's family to this day.

As a young girl, Sally was enamored with the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, and she dreamed of being an entertainer.  She was a talented tap dancer who wanted to sing and dance on the biggest stage.  Although life had other plans for Sally, her passion for music and performance was passed down to her offspring.  Family gatherings – of which there were many – were filled with music, song, and dance.  Living rooms often transformed into the stages Sally envisioned as a child.  And no matter the occasion, Sally always carried herself with the style and grace of a starlet on the red carpet.

Sally was the matriarch of 5 children, 14 grandchildren, and 18 great grandchildren (and growing).  Above all of her life's various triumphs and accomplishments, Sally left behind a legacy of steadfast commitment to marriage, motherhood, and family.

She was laid to rest at Lakeview Cemetery in Clarkston.

Sally Bullen is preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Bullen; her parents, Dr. John and Leola Stageman; her brother, Dr. John Stageman (Jan); and her son, John Bullen.

She is survived by her brother, Dr. Donald Stageman (Dawn);

Her daughter, Linda Downs (Stephen), and their sons:

Thomas Downs (Jamie) and their children, Jackson, Delaney, Ian, Nathaniel, and Malanae;
Wesley Downs (Andrea) and their children, Alexander and Claire;
Matthew Downs and his children, Livie, Juniper, and Willem;

Her son, Benjamin Bullen and his children:

Benjamin Bullen (Allysia) and their children, Theodore and Elliott;
Sarah Bullen;
Samual Bullen;

The children of the late John Bullen:

Emily Senyker (Cody) and their daughter, Lucy;
Thomas Bullen;
Diana Bullen (Simon);

Her daughter Julia Maier (Christopher) and their children:

Nichole Montgomery (James) and their children, Madelyn and Levi;
John Maier (Elizabeth);

Her daughter Sandra Matich (Kirk) and their children:

Nicholas Matich (Jacquelyn) and their children, Mackenzie, Kennedy, and Dominic;
Adam Matich;
Amber Matich

Memorials may be made to Defeat Multiple System Atrophy.https://defeatmsa.org/

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