Regina mourns the loss of Sally Elliott

When you learned you were having a baby in Regina, you told your family first and you told Sally Elliott second.

The YMCA’s long-time perinatal nurse died from cancer on the weekend.

For decades, through her humorous birthing classes to the supportive mom-and-baby group, she helped Regina families navigate the early days of parenthood.

“The outpouring from the community is expected but still unbelievable,” YMCA executive director Steve Compton said Monday.

“Sally worked with families who were expecting, she worked with families afterwards through the high and lows, through lots of happy and difficult circumstances and worked for many, many years with moms, just being a resource, taking phone calls, going to the hospital, lending an ear when it was needed, giving advice and just listening.

“I think her impact will be felt across the community for a very long time.”

Elliott laid bare the truth of childbirth in all its gory details, using fun props and dolls to explain all the ways, good and bad, a baby could enter the world. She was famous for her doll Moses, who wore beads around the neck spelling the name Jennifer, just in case you were having a girl.

“Sally was an absolute legend here in Regina and someone who cared deeply for new families as they made the transition to parenthood,” the Regina Perinatal Health Network wrote on its Facebook page.

“She was a talented educator who sure knew how to keep her audience on their toes! She was a caring support for so many families and often the rock that many of us needed during challenging times. Her smile and gentle demeanour made everyone feel welcome. She had this genuine magic about her.

“Sally was a pioneer when it came for addressing the gaps in care for those who were experiencing a Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorder (PMAD) like postpartum depression & anxiety here in Regina. Her weekly support group served so many in our community along with many individual phone calls, letters, emails, hospital check-ins (which were) her way of going the extra mile for the parents she worked with. She always remembered you, your birth story, or your needs for support.”

Elliott held a group called Y’s Moms for new moms to get together, socialize and support each other with their babies. Many of the participants still remain friends decades later.

Her decades-long career meant her classes and groups were often attended by moms who were themselves babies who attended with their parents years before.

The YMCA is taking some time to consider how best to commemorate Elliott and the work she did.

Just learned that #yqr icon Sally Elliott has passed on. Sally literally helped hundreds, maybe thousands of pre and post natal families @YMCA_Regina . She gave this postpartum mom of twins permission to be a mom on my own terms. She was love & light & all that is good. 🙏

— Tina Beaudry-Mellor (@tbeaudrymellor) March 15, 2021

One of the most amazing people I’ve ever met, Sally Elliot, passed away today. She touched my life, helping me through a difficult time, was there to whisper supportive words during the labour of my daughter, & was an inspiring host at Y’s Moms. 1/2

— Nicole Sarauer (@nicolesarauer) March 15, 2021

The stories pouring in about Sally are heart warming and inspiring. I’ll be thinking about her through this upcoming birth, and am so sad they will not get the chance to meet.

— Nicole Sarauer (@nicolesarauer) March 15, 2021