Sally Mabry Gansz
06.09.26
Sally M. Gansz passed away unexpectedly at her home in Trinidad, Colo., June 9, 2026. She was 84.
She was born Sarah Jane Mabry to Judge Dean C. and Sarah Jane (Bell) Mabry on Oct. 27, 1941, in Trinidad.
Shortly after her birth, the United States entered World War II, and her father was stationed in Europe. Sally stayed in Trinidad with her mother, who cared for her with the help of Sally’s grandparents, John N. and Letha C. Mabry, Bessie Sherman Bell, and her aunt Betty (Bell) Taylor.
After Sally’s father returned from the war and he attended law school, the family lived in Boulder, Colo. In 1948 the family returned to Trinidad and Sally graduated from Trinidad High School in 1959. She lived in Trinidad the rest of her life.
While working as a lifeguard at the Municipal Swimming Pool, Sally met Nicholas H. Gansz, who had come to Trinidad State Junior College from Pittsburgh, Pa., to play football. Sally and Nick Gansz were married Nov. 13, 1959.
Sally became the first woman to be admitted to the Architectural Drafting program at Trinidad State Junior College, where she received an A.A. She had to pass an entry exam to be admitted to this all-male discipline.
She was a 4th generation P.E.O., Chapter J, Sister; her sisterhood in P.E.O. spanned 65 years, and her daughter Sarah J. Gansz and granddaughter Sally J. Ruybalid followed as 5th and 6th generation Chapter J P.E.O. Sisters.
Sally was a long-standing member of the Trinidad Historical Society and Friends of Historic Trinidad. Due to Nick Gansz’s long employment with the Colorado & Southern and the Burlington Northern Railroads, she had a special interest in historic railroads. She also was an avid flower gardener.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Nick Gansz in 1996; a sister, Patricia D. Mabry, in 2008; her friend Robert Risley in 2021, her brother-in-law, Coach Frank Gansz, in 2009; and her cousin Mary Taylor Pierz, formerly of Trinidad, in 2024.
She is survived by a daughter, Sarah Jane Ruybalid, and son-in-law Frank Ruybalid, of Trinidad, Colo.; a grandson, Nicholas F. Ruybalid of Peoria, Ill., and a granddaughter, Sally Jane Ruybalid, of Plainsboro Township, N.J.; a sister, Letha B. Steed, and brother-in-law, Frank Steed, of Greenwood Village, Colo.; a brother-in-law, Greg Gansz, of Raleigh, N.C.; cousin Frank Pierz of Fort Collins, Colo.; and many other cousins.
Funeral services took place June 18, 2026, at the United Methodist Church. Connie Pallone was the organist for the service. Burial took place at Trinidad Masonic Cemetery alongside her late husband Nick, and at the feet of her parents Judge Dean and Sarah Jane Mabry. Pallbearers were Ed Bell, Dick Compton, Bob Holder, Bruce Bell, Dr. Eric Clark and Nick Ruybalid. Honorary pallbearers were Joseph Bell, Frank Pierz and Frank Ruybalid.
Sally was a lifelong cat, dog and horse lover, and the family requests, in lieu of flowers or food, donations in her name to PALS Spay, Neuter and Vaccination Clinic, 131 E. Main St., Trinidad, CO, 81082, or to P.E.O. Chapter J Local Scholarship, c/o Joanie Muzzlin, 2672 Espinoza St., Trinidad, CO, 81082.