Sally Elaine Wellinger

Sally Elaine Wellinger, 81, of Natrona Heights, passed away Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at Concordia at Cabot. Sally was born on November 27, 1943, in Punxsutawney, PA, and was the second of four children to the late Helen D. and Alfred J. Mitchell, Sr., also of Natrona Heights. A 1961 graduate of Tarentum High School, she went on to study mathematics at Douglass College of Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ. After earning her degree, she began working as a computer programmer at Pittsburgh Plate Glass (PPG). Over the course of her distinguished 39-year career at PPG, Sally progressed through numerous technical and managerial roles in IT, corporate finance, bank relations, international finance, chemicals IT and management accounting, and corporate information systems, serving as a role model and paving the way for future female Executives at the company. After retiring in 2004 as Corporate Director of IT, she kept up her corporate ties by helping to organize PPG retiree luncheons and other events. For many years, Sally was active on the Board of the CCAC Institute to Train the Handicapped in Computer Programming and was instrumental in developing curriculum and skills that enabled students to earn employment in IT. Sally was honored for her many years of service to the University of Pittsburgh Department of Industrial Engineering Visiting Committee. Sally was known for her generosity and compassion, always thinking about others and offering kind gestures, many of which were made with love from her kitchen. For nearly ten years, she was a devoted caregiver to her late mother, Helen, and brother, Charlie, making daily visits to their respective nursing facilities in Sarver and Saxonburg, PA. Sally was also a doting mother to the number of wonderful dogs that she and Fred were blessed with over the years, traveling with them between their homes in Pennsylvania and Florida. In addition to her warmth, Sally possessed an incredible intellect, witty sense of humor, and genuine curiosity about people and was known as a world-class conversationalist. She was an avid reader and enjoyed family, dolls and antiques, Scrabble and crossword puzzles, playing golf, traveling to Florida, and spending time at their mountain home in northern Pennsylvania.

Sally is survived by her beloved husband of 60 years and devoted caretaker, Fred C. Wellinger, sister Susan L. Mitchell and niece Samantha M. Cosentino of Stamford, CT, nieces Kimberly J. Mitchell of Atlanta, GA, and Kolleen A. Mitchell of Bellingham, WA, cousins Lynn and James (Tommy) Mitchell of Ulster Park, NY, Karen Fosburg of Albion, PA, Colleen Kerns of Punxsutawney, PA, Michele Anderson of Bethel Park, PA and many cherished friends and former colleagues who loved her dearly. Besides her parents she was preceded in death by her two brothers, Alfred J. Mitchell of Slinger, WI, and Charles G. Mitchell of Tarentum, PA.

Visitation 2-4 & 6-8 PM Sunday in Duster Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc. 347 E 10th Ave, Tarentum, 724-224-1526, where services will be held on Monday at 11 AM with her Pastor C. Drew Myers, officiating. Burial will be private in Lakewood Memorial Gardens, Indiana Township. Family suggests contributions to Animal Protectors of Allegheny Valley, 730 Church St., New Kensington, PA 15068 or Eureka Ambulance Services, 304 E 3rd Ave, Tarentum, PA 15084. VISIT: dusterfh.com