Sally White Beck was born Feb. 15, 1953, to Sue and Wayne White. Her Wharton childhood was classic 1950's: Jack-and-Jill Kindergarten, Girl Scouts and VBS, piano lessons, playing Barbies and made-up games with her younger sister, Cindy. Her cousins lived minutes away; every Thursday, they all gathered for lunch at their grandparents' house on Walnut Street.  It was in Wharton that Sally formed lifelong habits: laying down strong hometown roots, nurturing relationships, holding tightly to family traditions.

When she was 13, her father took a job in Manhattan, and Sally moved with her parents and sisters to Fairfield County, Connecticut. Despite the 2,000 miles between them, Sally kept up with the friends she left behind in Wharton — writing letters back and forth, swapping stories. Sally remained an honorary member of the Wharton High School graduating class and continued to be included in their high school reunions.

Sally was baptized into the First Baptist Church of Wharton, Texas, became a member of the Congregational Church of New Canaan and Greenfield Hill Congregational Church in Fairfield, Connecticut. She later attended Northwoods Presbyterian Church in Houston.

From her earliest jobs (first, as a switchboard operator for a lumber company, and then as a bank teller) it was obvious that Sally loved to work. She was a quick learner, determined, ambitious. After graduating with a BBA and an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin, Sally entered the world of investment banking. Sally also became an entrepreneur when she opened a maternity clothing store, Anticipation, in 1985. Years later, she accepted a job at Enron, where she eventually rose to the position of Chief Operating Officer. After exiting Enron, she built a robust real estate business — a career she loved and was able to share with her daughter Meagan for the last four years.

In 1979, Sally married David Beck. The couple lived and worked in Houston, and they busily raised three children together. In 2008, Sally married Jim Nutto; the couple celebrated their 16th wedding anniversary just before Sally's death.

Sally was a loyal Longhorn, faithfully donning her burnt orange gear on each and every game day. She was a gifted seamstress who could whip up the most elaborate of Halloween costumes — often between midnight and dawn. Her Christmas gifts were exquisitely wrapped; her Texas Sheet Cake was perfection. Sally could by wickedly funny and, upon occasion, feisty. She made a mean margarita (generously sized, and with salt, of course).

Above all else, Sally was a pragmatist: she neither worried about the future, nor fretted about the past. Just as her own mother had coached her to do, Sally moved quickly past disappointments, and she instructed her own children that daily optimism, daily happiness, are choices to be made each morning.

As much as she loved her work, it was her family who was her greatest joy. "Mimi" to her five grandchildren, Sally carved out special days (and even weeks) for them, cheered them at their games, eagerly attended school events. Continuing to juggle work and family, Sally gave happily and selflessly to both. She "mothered" her adult children with loving care: unceasingly supportive, restrained in voicing opinions, generous with her praise and time. Sally cherished her two sisters and frequently remarked that she had "hit the jackpot" with her daughter- and sons-in-law.

Her high school yearbook described Sally as "pert and petite" — and, indeed, at 5'3", she was small.  But, oh, she lived large!  Her unexpected death — way too young — leaves an enormous hole in our hearts.

Cheers to you, Sally — we will forever miss your boundless energy and creativity, your devotion to those you loved, and the joy you took in day-to-day life.

Sally leaves her husband Jim Nutto; three children — Meagan Hamblen (Jeremy); Amanda Darby (Wilson) and Tyler Beck (Tamara); five beloved grandchildren – Sawyer, Betty, Finley, Austen and Sutton; and two sisters, Cindy White (Jay Schoenike) and Cara Lowrimore (Chris); and adored nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held on Monday, December 2 at 11am at Wharton City Cemetery. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, December 5 at 11am, at Northwoods Presbyterian Church in Houston. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donating to Northwest Assistance Ministries (NAM), where Meagan and Amanda have fond memories of volunteering together with Sally.