Ann Elizabeth Sanders

Ann Elizabeth Sanders 1939-2024 

On Friday, September 27th, our beautiful and beloved wife, mother, and grandmother passed away peacefully, with her family by her side, after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimers disease. 

Ann was born March 24, 1939, in Medina, Ohio to Arlo M. and Grace M. (Kleinhans) Smith. When Ann was 15, her family moved to Shaker Heights, Ohio, where she soon met her lifelong sweetheart, Richard (Dick) Bruce Sanders. Their first date was in the fall of 1954, seventy years ago, when Dick was able to convince Ann’s parents that their dramatic age difference (17 and 15) would not be a problem… and their love has lasted ever since.

Ann joined Dick at the University of Wisconsin - Madison, where she majored in Elementary Education, then went back to Ohio after Dick’s graduation, where she graduated with honors from Flora Stone Mather College for Women, a branch of Western Reserve University. Since she had promised her parents she would graduate before getting married, Ann completed her degree early so she could marry that handsome young man she had fallen in love with in high school as soon as she could. Ann and Dick were married on a record cold evening on December 23, 1960, in Shaker Heights, Ohio. 

Law school for Dick took them to sunny Arizona where Ann taught elementary school while Dick studied. Following law school, Dick practiced law and Ann continued to teach elementary school until they started a family. After their two children arrived, Ann made the decision to stay home and put her full effort into creating a warm and loving home for her family of four. Not only was Ann a talented homemaker, she could literally do anything - at least that's what her family believed. She could cook and sew, play catch and roller skate, and come up with a creative and clever solution to just about any problem. She was a Girl Scout leader, Den Mother, Sunday School teacher, school volunteer, and more. Always vivacious and up for any challenge, her energy was boundless. Ann was also active in a variety of church groups and clubs over the years and was quite involved in P.E.O., a women's service organization, in which she served in many roles, including president and State Convention Chairman. 

After raising their family in Phoenix, Ann and Dick spent many happy years in Prescott, Arizona. After Dick retired, they traveled the country in their motorhome for several years, making friends wherever they went. This time was a highlight in both of their lives. Ann and Dick then relocated to St. George, UT, halfway between their children and grandchildren in Arizona and Utah. Ann loved nothing more than being a grandmother and creating special memories with her grandchildren. They all cherish the special times they have spent with their Grammy. 

Ann was loved by all who had the pleasure of knowing her and will be greatly missed. She is survived by her loving husband of almost 64 years, Richard Sanders, daughter Cathy (Brent) Dover, and son Scott (Julie) Sanders, as well as seven grandchildren. Ann will be interred in Tonaquint Cemetery in St. George, Utah. Her family will have a private memorial service for her at a future time. 

Our deepest gratitude goes out to the staff of the Memory Care unit at Legacy Village in St. George and the nurses at Sun Tree Home Health and Hospice for their dedicated and loving care of Ann over the past 18 months.