Sally Sweeny

Sally Mullen Sweeny, 76 of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, passed away on Sunday, November 17, 2024.

Born on March 14, 1948, in Charleston, SC, Sally was the daughter of the late Virginia Wallace Mullen and Harry Benton Mullen Jr. Sally lived in Mt. Pleasant for the past 30 years and was a proud Charlestonian. She was a beloved Mother, Wife, Grandmother, Sister, and Friend. 

Sally grew up on Montagu Street in downtown Charleston with her loving parents and nine siblings – Jim, Nancy, Hank, Peggy, Bill, Bob, Connie, Michael, and Cindy. She cherished her family history and being part of the Mullen family, regularly sharing stories about her childhood in Charleston. Not quite a teenager, Sally met the challenge of the untimely death of her Father by supporting her family, developing a particularly strong bond with her mother that lasted throughout their lives. 

A proud graduate of Bishop England High School (Class of 1966), she formed lifelong friendships that she maintained and cherished. After high school, her natural caregiving abilities led Sally to nursing school, where she pursued a career she was destined for. She attended St. Joseph’s Hospital School of Nursing (Class of 1969) and worked as a Registered Nurse throughout her life. In her early married life, Sally traveled around the world as a dedicated Navy wife with her two young, precocious boys. She made it her mission to help other young Navy mothers while their husbands were deployed overseas. Sally was a wonderful mother who loved and doted on her boys above all else.

Sally reconnected with Hugh (Skip) Sweeny at their 30th high school reunion, and recently celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary together in July. Sally maintained her adventurous streak by participating in Skip’s various DIY projects and maintaining a lovely home in the Groves in Mt. Pleasant. They took on their biggest adventure by renovating a boat named after their grandchildren the “CoCo Jac” navigating the Tennessee and Mississippi Rivers down to the Florida Keys where they lived part-time. Sally loved simple pleasures – a great book, a cozy blanket, and a cooking show (preferably Ina). She will always be remembered as a great cook, having a knack for preparing the perfect dish for any occasion, never needing a recipe. 

Sally is survived by her husband, Hugh (Skip) Sweeny; her children, Larry Sakre and Brian Sakre; her daughter-in-law, Courtney Sakre; and her grandchildren, Nicole, Amelia, Jacob and Charles, as well as numerous extended family members.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Hobcaw Yacht Club, 180 Hobcaw Drive, Mt. Pleasant, SC, on Saturday, November 23rd. The family will receive guests starting at 1:00 PM, with a brief ceremony at 1:30 PM, and will then spend the afternoon celebrating Sally until 4:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Bishop England High School Advancement office.

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at www.mcalister-smith.com

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral and Cremation, 1520 Rifle Range Rd, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464, 843-884-3833.