Sallie Spalding Walsh, 67, of Bardstown, died Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026, in Greenfield, Ind. She was born Oct. 13, 1958, to Benjamin Haydon and Ann Everett Spalding in Maysville.
She attended St. Joseph Elementary and graduated from Bethlehem High School in 1976. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Education from the University of Kentucky where she served as president of Chi Omega Sorority. She later earned her Master of Science in Education from Spalding University.
She was a beloved kindergarten teacher for Bardstown City Schools. Later, she joined her father, Haydon, as the fifth-generation operator of Spalding and Sons, a tremendous source of pride for the Spalding family and a Bardstown institution from 1856 to 2013.
She married Chrisopher Joseph Walsh Dec. 29, 2001. For nearly twenty-five years they enjoyed a life blessed by their beloved family and friends. She and her husband loved to travel, especially to the Lowcountry of South Carolina where they enjoyed many adventures.
To know her was to love her radiant personality, her mischievous sense of humor, the warmth of her generous heart, and the simple beauty of a woman who took great joy in living into the wonderful blessings that life has to offer. She had a great talent for making friends, and she was blessed throughout her life for having the love that she shared with others returned to her by the many friends and family who will forever cherish the memory of their beloved “Sal”.
The Walsh and Spalding families would like to thank Franciscan Health Indianapolis and AMG Specialty Hospital for their devoted and compassionate care for Sallie.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Haydon and Ann Spalding; her father-in-law, Deacon Richard Walsh; one sister, Madge Polin; and two uncles, Paul Cowden and Addison Everett.
She is survived by her husband, Chris Walsh; two sisters, Kelley Spalding and Mary Hepditch (Scott); one brother, Ben Spalding; one aunt, Suzi Cowden and her daughters, Kelley Hodgson (Jesse) and Lucy Gess (Ben); one uncle, Tom Everett; her mother-in-law, Judy Walsh; two brothers-in-law, John Walsh (Sheryl) and Michael Walsh (Gabriela); two sisters-in-law, Kim Devries (John) and Stephanie Walsh; and many beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Visitation is 3-8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026, and 9-10:15 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, at Barlow Funeral Home with a 4:30 p.m. Wednesday prayer service with Rev. J. Randall Hubbard.
The Mass of Christian Burial is 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, at the Basilica of St. Joseph Prot-Cathreral with the Most Rev. Charles C. Thompson, Archbishop of Indianapolis officiating. Burial is in the church cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in the name of Sallie Spalding Walsh to Bethlehem High School and The Bardstown Foundation for Excellence in Public Education.
Barlow Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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