Sally Jean Labay, 70, died on Nov. 26, 2016, at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center in Palmer, Alaska, after a brief battle with cancer. She was with her immediate family at the time of her passing.Sally was born on Sept. 24, 1946, in Powell, Wyo., to John and Mary Ellen Ferguson. She graduated from high school in Meeteetse, Wyo.Sally first came to Alaska briefly in the late 1960s with her parents, where they lived on the Kenai Peninsula. After leaving Alaska, she attended Northwest College in Powell and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in medical recordsUpon graduation, Sally returned to Alaska, where she worked at the Alaska Native Hospital in downtown Anchorage. While working there, she met Joe Labay and they were married on May 18, 1973, at First Baptist Church of Anchorage. After starting a family, Sally left her job and devoted herself full-time to being with those closest to her.Sally loved Alaska. She took great joy in traveling throughout Alaska and other states. She was passionate about a variety of different crafts such as sewing, knitting, quilting and embroidery. She also devoted much of her time and effort to the music and other ministries at First Baptist Church of Birchwood, where she played the saxophone and sang in the choir.She is survived by her husband of 43 years, Joe; son, Keith Labay of Palmer; brother, Robert (LaRae) Ferguson of Henderson, Nev.; brother, Lynn (Linda) Ferguson of Brighton, Colo.; brother, Edward (Barbara) Ferguson of Houston, Texas; and several cousins.Viewing will take place at Legacy Funeral Homes Wasilla Chapel, 1015 South Check St., Wasilla, AK 99654. Viewing times will be on Friday, Dec. 2, 2016, from noon to 4 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016, from noon to 4 p.m. Memorial services will be held out of state with family at a later time.