Douglas Lees photo
Sally Spilman Tufts passed away peacefully on January 1st, 2016 at age ninety-one. A passionate horsewoman and lifelong foxhunter, she was Joint-MFH of the Warrenton Hunt (VA) for twenty-two years.
How many times have I recalled the first time we met? It was the moment when I, a Northerner, learned the definition of a Southern Lady—a woman who could say the hard thing and make it taste like honey.
About thirty-five years ago, before I had even moved to Virginia, a friend from Massachusetts and I went for a day’s hunting with Warrenton. For whatever reason, my friend’s horse decided to stop at virtually every fence. We were proving to be the cappers from hell. I was embarrassed, but the word, embarrassment, had never been a part of my friend’s lexicon. He just kept trying. At one fence, after several fruitless attempts, a hospitable Warrenton rider offered to get on the horse and jump him over so we could catch up to the field. Even he was unsuccessful, so he and another gracious rider took us through a gate—the nadir of the day’s experiences. Thankfully, the endless day finally ended, and, back at the trailers, Master Sally Tufts came up to us.
With her lovely smile, she thanked us profusely for visiting Warrenton. And, to my stupefaction, she actually invited us back! Then she turned to my friend. Still smiling and with a confidential wink, Sally said, “And next time, bring your good horse.”
Sally Tufts (rt) with her late Joint-Master Bambe Wilson / Douglas Lees photo
Sally Tufts was born November 19, 1924, in Washington D.C., the daughter of Baldwin Day Spilman, Jr. and Phoebe Elliot Randolph. She was predeceased by her husband Maximilian A. Tufts and her sister Phoebe Spilman Levering. She was president of the Fauquier SPCA for over thirty years and after retirement remained on the board as President Emeritus.
She is survived by her children, Maximilian A., Jr.; Baldwin D.; Walter D.; Phoebe R.; and Henry P.; and her grandchildren, Maximilian A. Tufts III; Jonathan L. Tufts; John P.H. Pennington; Sally F.R. Pennington; Sarah S. Tufts; Hannah C. Tufts; Henry K. Tufts; and great-grandchildren Camden M. Tufts; Caroline F. Tufts; Charlotte A. Tufts; and Maximilian A. Tufts IV.
A celebration of her life will be held at 1:00 p.m on Friday, January 8th at St. James Episcopal Church, Warrenton, Virginia.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Warrenton Hunt and/or The Fauquier SPCA.
Posted January 5, 2016
Three Warrenton Hunt late Joint Masters: (l-r) Harcourt Lees, Bambe Wilson, and Sally Tufts / Douglas Lees photo