A funeral mass for Sally Patrick Ditta will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, April 29th, 2026, at Jesus the Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Monroe, LA with Rev. Do Minh Vu officiating. Interment will follow at Mulhearn Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. on Tuesday, April 28th, 2026, with a vigil wake at 6:30 P.M. and rosary at 7:00 P.M. at Mulhearn Funeral Home in Monroe.

Sally was born on September 5, 1947, to Arthur Bell Patrick and Barbara Johonson Patrick in Lake Providence, LA and passed away surrounded by her family on April 25, 2026.

As the second oldest of seven kids, Sally loved being a part of a large family and growing up in Lake Providence, LA. She attended St. Patrick’s Catholic elementary school and graduated from Lake Providence High School. She was lucky enough to become part of a close-knit group of friends that would be later known as the “Glitter Girls”. It was the beginning of a lifelong friendship that spanned over 60 years.

She enjoyed her short time at LSU, leaving early and moving to Monroe, LA to become a wife. Sally wanted a houseful of children but had to work really hard to get the two she had. She was a wonderful mother to Ashley and Jordan. Her children were her world. She was kind and generous and they both loved her dearly.

Sally’s house was always full and fun. She loved having her family around and was incredibly close to her sisters and brothers, spending most weekends and every holiday with them. She loved to cook and was famously known by family and friends for her homemade lasagna that took two days to make and her antipasti recipe that she kept as a closely guarded secret. She was a voracious reader and could always be found curled up with the latest spy novel. Sally loved fancy things. Wine was always out of a crystal goblet and her pillowcases were always ironed. She loved to travel. Some of her favorite trips were to Italy where she had several opportunities to attend mass said by Pope John Paul II.

In her late thirties, Sally faced a significant life change with courage and grace. She went back to school to become a nurse where she met her second group of close friends. She opened her home once again for the young women who were in school with her. They would pull all-nighters studying or practicing the correct bandaging techniques. A support system grew that has lasted way beyond those school years. Sally graduated with honors and went to work as a CCU nurse at St. Francis Medical Center.

Sally was an amazing nurse. She thrived at the bedside of those in most need, giving them kindness and exceptional care in their hardest moments. Her patients’ care was her top priority, and their families were so appreciative of her compassion and empathy. Some of her closest friends were the other nurses she worked with. She loved them all dearly.

Another big moment for Sally in those years was falling in love with Joey Ditta. Sally and Joey married on October 6, 1990. They spent lots of time at Ashbrook Island cooking for family and friends, fishing, and enjoying camp life. She was even known to bring a book and keep Joey company while hunting. Though it was a far change from the fancy life she had before, it turns out she loved this one even more.

Sally adored her grandchildren. She made everything so magical. Sally decorated for every holiday, bringing the magic of that season to everyone around her. There were tea parties and bonfires and movie nights and cooking lessons. They loved spending time with her every chance they got.

Sally was a fighter. She had many medical challenges throughout her life, the hardest being diagnosed with cancer twenty-five years ago. Because of her stubbornness and determination to survive, we were given many more years with her than the doctors originally expected. Sally was the toughest girl around.

She was surrounded by family and friends in her final days where everyone took turns telling their favorite Sally story. We were blessed to have her in our lives for as long as we did.

The family would like to thank everyone at MD Anderson for the years of exceptional care and to her nursing friends who were always there for us in her time of need, especially Sandy Dean who graciously drove 600 miles to care for her at home in her final hours.

Sally was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband, Joey Ditta; her daughter, Ashley Elston (Dean) and son, Jordan Bruscato; grandchildren, Miller, Ross and Archer Elston, Adeline Bruscato; sisters, Bitsy Beene (Charles), Judy McCurdy (Ralph), Betty Malson (Jim), Mary Baucum (Trey) and her brothers, Jim Patrick (Mary) and Bill Patrick (Kathy). She also leaves behind dozens of nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers are Dean Elston, Miller Elston, Ross Elston, Archer Elston, Matt McCurdy, Todd Beene, and Patrick Beene.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation in Sally’s name to MD Anderson.