Dr. Sara E. Conlon died on March 21, 2003, in Washington, D.C. "Sallie" was a speech-language pathologist whose life-long interests were in communication development and disorders. She held a BA from the University of Maryland, College Park; an MA from the University of Iowa; and a PhD from the University of Florida. She was a Fellow of ASHA and a life member. She was a long-time Legislative Councilor for the state of Florida. Dr. Rhonda Work knew her well. Her reflections on Sallie's importance to the profession were summarized in a personal communication (April 22, 2003).

Sallie was the first specialist in speech-language pathology at the Florida Department of Education. She set the standard for the meaning of professionalism. She worked untiringly with school districts to mold appropriate programs and curriculum. She was an early leader in the introduction of language-based therapy programs, bringing experts from around the country to provide inservice for district personnel. Sallie instituted a series of weekend inservice workshops, "Weekend with the Experts," which continued for over 25 years. She encouraged SLPs in the school districts to develop research projects, assisting them in the application and implementation phases.

Over the years she was influential in the growth of both state and national associations. She served in leadership roles in State and the national Council for Exceptional Children, the A. G. Bell Association, the Council of Language, Speech and Hearing Specialists in State Education Agencies, and was elected Vice-President of ASHA.

Wherever Sallie went, services to individuals with speech, language and hearing programs flourished. In her own quiet way, she dedicated her life to serving those with communication disorders.

Dr. Work concludes: "Our professions are richer indeed for having Sallie as a colleague."

Sara also served nationally through her later position as a Program Specialist in the Office of Education Programs in the U.S. Department of Education, providing an impartial service to those who sought assistance in funding research and personnel grants for many years.

Dr. Conlon not only served on the Editorial Board of Topics in Language Disorders, she became an Issue Editor in 1990 (TLD 16:3), which was titled "Transition into Adulthood: Possibilities and Realities." In that issue, she noted that "transition" identified a selective period of time and spoke to the transition of young men and women with language-learning disabilities from the high school setting-with or without a diploma-into several major aspects of their adult lives, postsecondary education, employment, independent living, or all of these. As she summarized the Foreword of TLD 16:3, she left a poignant message for us today in the commentary that follows:

All adults experience many transitions in their lives. One single transition is not what living is about. Adulthood is defined not only by the calendar, but by culture and by individuals and their families. Selecting the three categories of postsecondary education, work, and independent living reflect a few of the most important core values of families and individuals with disabilities. Reaching any of these outcomes successfully requires extraordinary effort on the part of the individual, the family and the professionals who serve them[horizontal ellipsis]. Language skills are critical across the life span, and perhaps more so in this tenuous transition period from childhood to adulthood (Conlon 1990, viii-ix).

Sara, your friends and colleagues wish you well on your final transition. We will miss you terribly.