For 27 years, the Gloucester Daily Times’ coverage of Essex fell almost entirely to Sarah “Sally” O’Maley. In the early 1970s, O’Maley was enticed by her former Gloucester High School teacher and GDT Managing Editor, Bill Cahill, to write the Essex news for the GDT. As a resident of the town, her coverage of the community was both exhaustive and authentic. O’Maley left the paper in the mid-1990s to become the Director of Marketing and Public Relations for the Topsfield Fair. After decades of service to her community, Sally O’Maley passed away in 2021.

Gloucester, MA 1985. Two boys drive toy cars.

Gloucester, MA 1985. A group of people wash a truck.

Gloucester, MA 1985. Children at an indoor event.

Gloucester, MA 1985. Families at an outdoor Easter event.

Gloucester, MA 1985. Girl at an outdoor Easter event.

Gloucester, MA 1985. Two boys laugh with a dog.

Gloucester, MA c. 1980s. A woman sweeps the pavement at the intersection of Route 22 and Route 133.

Gloucester, MA c. 1980s. Closeup of a smiling dog.

Gloucester, MA c. 1980s. Closeup of a cat.