Sarah "Sally" Jane Conway

Sarah Jane Conway (Sally) of Tappahannock died on Friday, April 25, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Sally was born in Laconia, New Hampshire, to James and Janet Conway on March 5, 1955. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Jennifer, and brother, Peter. She is survived by her loving wife, and her brother and sister-in-law, Jay and Jane Conway. She is also survived by many friends and co-workers who remember her for her courage and strength.

Sally grew up in Manchester, New Hampshire, immersing herself in music at Manchester Central High School. She taught music to students after graduating from Plymouth State College until she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Having to leave the teaching profession, Sally went back to school obtaining a Master’s degree in rehabilitation and counseling. MS confined Sally to a wheelchair for over 40 years. She never slowed from her disability. She enjoyed outdoor activities and sports even becoming a competitor in the National Handicapped Ski Championships winning awards in downhill sit skiing.

Sally was formerly the Deputy Chief, Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. She was assigned to the Division's Disability Rights Section, which is responsible for providing technical assistance about the requirements of titles II and III of the ADA, investigating, and, where necessary, litigating complaints, and certifying state and local building codes. She worked in the fields of disability and civil rights for more than 20 years. She conducted training sessions, workshops, and presentations on the ADA for representatives from the public and private sectors as well as people with disabilities throughout the country. Prior to joining DOJ, she was Program Director at Granite State Independent Living in New Hampshire. She also worked as an investigator for the N.H. Commission for Human Rights (the state agency responsible for enforcing federal and state anti-discrimination laws), and as a medical social worker.

Sally Conway, a pioneer of the Division's ADA Mediation program, was the recipient of the Maceo Hubbard Award. This award is named after an extraordinary civil servant who spent 40 years with the Department and is given to an individual who has furthered the cause of civil rights through a significant, innovative accomplishment. Because her tireless work establishing the mediation program, the Division has achieved remarkable success for individuals who have suffered discrimination. More than 420 complaints have been referred to mediation and more than 80 percent have been successfully resolved.

Upon retirement, Sally volunteered for various social and political organizations, more importantly, the Disability Law Center of Virginia serving as President of the Board of Directors until she became ill.

Sally has requested there be no service. Instead, she asks that donations be given in her name to Peninsula Cancer Institute (Gloucester, Va.), Riverside Hospice (Warsaw) or to Vote.Org. She also has left one particular request, please celebrate her life by being kind to others, even though they may be different than you.