Dorothy F Sanders

Dorothy F. Sanders, 91, beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister-in-law and aunt was called to her eternal home on April 19, 2018. She was born to Louis and Inez Grant Fifick in Stump Creek, PA on April 8, 1927.

Dorothy was raised in Garrett, PA and graduated from Bedford High School in 1945. After graduation she left home and moved to Washington, D.C. to work for the Navy Department at the Pentagon. While there she met Bobbie Sanders who was in the U.S. Navy in May 1946. They married eight months later on December 28. Shortly after they moved to San Diego, CA where Bob’s ship was docked. When he shipped out Dorothy went to Portales, NM and lived with her in-laws until Bob’s return. She hadn’t ever met them but she bravely stuck it out until he was discharged. During that time, she worked at a canning factory and helped her in-laws who still had children living at home. When Bob returned he studied for his Bachelor’s degree and their first child, Martha was born. They also lived in Corvallis, OR where Bob studied for his Masters and their son Maury was born. Bob finished his Masters degree in Las Cruces, NM and had their third child, Susan. Dorothy stayed busy as a housewife and mother while Bob worked on his career which led them next to Fort Worth, TX in 1957. In 1960 the family moved to Dayton, OH where they stayed for the next 37 years while Bob worked at Wright Patterson Air Force Base. They made many lifelong friends there and Dorothy was active at her children’s schools and extracurricular activities. She and Bob also enjoyed playing bridge and golfing. In July 1997, they moved back to Portales and became very busy at the Senior Citizen Center where Dorothy worked in the quilting room and the kitchen, especially on Pot Luck Thursday. They were happy in Portales but health related issues made a move closer to family necessary. It was decided to go to Lubbock, TX where their son Maury(Moe) and his wife Sue live and made it possible for them to live in their own home while getting help as needed. Dorothy joined a quilting group at a local senior center and loved going to the weekly meetings. Due to continued failing health for Dorothy and Bob as well as Moe, their daughter Sue and her husband invited them to live in their home in Albuquerque, NM. That move was accomplished in January 2017 and Bob passed on May 19, 2017. His passing was very hard for Dorothy but she handled her grief with quiet dignity. Dorothy suffered a stroke in February 2018 and was placed in an assisted living facility where her health continued to decline until her passing on April 19, 2018 exactly eleven months after Bob’s death. The family would like to thank Presbyterian Hospice, especially Karen Kelso, RN, Liz Montgomery, CNP, Dr. Karen Adams and Chaplain Paul Anway. We would also like to extend our thanks to Casa Angelina for their compassionate care during Dorothy’s last days. Our gratitude is extended to Eric, Patricia, Kathy and Cedric who provided patient loving care to the family as well as Dorothy.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Bob Sanders, parents, sister Martha Fifick, brothers-in-law Larry Sanders and Jerry McIntire, and sister-in-law Dorella Sanders. She is survived by her children and spouses, Marty (Tim) Klopfenstein, Moe(Sue) Sanders and Sue(Everett) Smith. Dorothy is also survived by grandchildren, Aaron Smith, Brian(Amber) Smith, Laura Smith, Tim Klopfenstein and Matt Klopfenstein, great grandchildren, Charisma, Chloe and Carly Smith, Samuel and Elena Klopfenstein, Helena Sue Key and Aidan Smith, also survived by sisters-in-law, Elaine Smith, Linda McIntire and numerous nieces and nephews. .

A visitation will be held Thursday, April 26, 2018 at 4:00 p.m. at FRENCH – Westside. A Graveside service will be held for both Dorothy and Bobbie Sanders Friday, April 27, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. at Portales Cemetery, 1600 East 3rd Street, Portales, New Mexico 88130.

FRENCH – Westside
9300 Golf Course Rd NW
505-897-0300