Ann Phelps Sanders

Ann Phelps Sanders, a longtime resident of Fort Collins, Colorado left this life on October 4, 2014 in Surprise, Arizona after a brief illness. She was comforted and surrounded by her loving husband Tom and her three children Lisa, Hollie and Bill. She was 68 years old.

Ann was born on October 19, 1945. Her parents, Edwin James Phelps and Florence Fitzhugh Phelps, specially chose her to join their family when she was a young girl. Ann gained two big brothers, Edwin James Phelps Jr. and Robert Fitzhugh Phelps. They were so happy to open their arms to their sweet little sister Annie, and have loved and cared for her ever since. Ann attended high school at Staples High School in Westport, Connecticut and later attended Ohio University.

Ann moved to Fort Collins in 1972 and married Thomas Gaylor Sanders on February 27, 1976. Ann with her two children Lisa and Bill (John Depoy father), and Tom with his daughter Hollie, became a truly lucky, happily blended family.

Ann sold real estate in the Fort Collins area for thirty plus years and also built homes in Northern Colorado for low income families in the later part of her career. She worked for Moore Realty, Rhoades Realty and also Remax Advanced in Fort Collins, CO. Ann retired in 2007.

Ann continued to enjoy summers in Ft. Collins, CO, playing golf in Surprise, AZ, and spending time in her Vermont fishing cabin on Lake Champlain with husband Tom (often competing in who could catch the most, and largest fish). Ann’s passion was to try new gourmet recipes, and host dinner parties for her closest friends. Everyone in her life benefited greatly from this hobby. Friends and family were always sure to receive a call from Ann singing Happy Birthday on their special day too. Ann cherished spending quality time with her children and grandchildren, traveling throughout the year between their several homes, and visiting overseas countries with her beloved husband Tom. Ann was an avid Colorado sports fan; following and cheering on the Broncos, Rockies and her hometown CSU Rams.

Ann is preceded in death by her parents Edwin James Phelps and Florence Fitzhugh Phelps. She is survived by her endearing husband Thomas Gaylor Sanders of Fort Collins, CO, daughter Lisa Depoy Baer and son in law Alfred Vonn Baer and grandsons Coby and Cordell of Cortez, CO, son William Phelps Depoy and daughter in law Marie Ann Depoy and granddaughter Brye and grandson Ashton of Wheatridge, CO and daughter Hollie Ann Sanders and son in law Kenneth Thomas McBride and grandsons Tyler and Troy of Palos Verdes, CA. She will also be greatly missed by numerous extended family members, former colleagues, neighbors and friends.

Ann will always be referred to as a devoted wife and mother. Ann’s family was very dear to her. We will all miss her love, friendship, smile, laugh, compassion, encouragement, support and frankness in our lives. Please choose to remember her in her new red convertible Mustang, driving with the top down, smiling and waving on a beautiful sunny day.

Memorial contributions may be made in Ann P. Sanders’ name to the American Lung Association.