Sally A. Ozinga

Sally Anne (Smits) Ozinga of Palos Heights, IL, passed away unexpectedly at the age of 74 on April 22, 2026.

Sally was born on April 12, 1952, in DePere, WI, to Merlin and Genevieve Smits. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a master’s degree in linguistics, which fostered her appreciation of other cultures and her love of traveling. Her career included frequent travels to China as a tour manager and working for Northwest Airlines and Japan Airlines.

Sally married the love of her life, Marty Ozinga, on November 18, 1989, and they enjoyed many travels together. Sally loved working in her extensive flower gardens. She had a deep appreciation for wildlife and enjoyed feeding the birds and squirrels in her yard. She loved caring for her various cats through the years. Sally was blessed with Marty’s extended family, whom she loved, especially her two stepdaughters and their families. Sally dearly loved her grandchildren and her many nieces and nephews and always enjoyed time with family. Her siblings remember her as always such a light, full of fun and joy. Sally will be remembered for her caring and compassionate spirit. She will be dearly missed by family and friends, as well as the neighborhood birds and squirrels.

Sally is survived by her husband, Martin F. "Marty" Ozinga, who passed away five days after her death; her stepdaughters, Laurie (Henry) Kamp, Kristen (Jeff) McConnell; her grandchildren, Andrew (Hannah) Kamp, Carly Kamp, Madison Kamp, Holden McConnell, and Claudia McConnell; her siblings, Ginny Just, Randy (Ann) Smits, Roger (Mary) Smits, and Marsha Goffard; her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Wilma (Richard) Molenhouse, Ronald (Sharon) Ozinga, Janice (William) Hoffman, Marcia (Paul) Hite and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, Merlin and Genevieve Smits; brothers-in-law, Gary Just and Patrick Goffard.

A Visitation to Celebrate the lives of Sally and Marty will be held on Saturday, May 2, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. until time of Funeral Service 11:00 a.m. at Colonial Chapel, 15525 S. 73rd Ave. (155th/Wheeler Dr. & Harlem) Orland Park, IL. A live stream of the service will be available. Please visit Sally’s obituary on Colonial Chapel’s website at colonialchapel.com to view the live stream. A link will be posted shortly. Burials to follow at Chapel Hill Gardens South, Oak Lawn, IL.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Sally’s name to ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals). CLICK HERE to donate online.

Express your thoughts and condolences at colonialchapel.com 708-532-5400