Saundra Sue Calderone

Saundra Sue Calderone (Scott) passed away on May 17, 2025, at Platte Valley Hospital in Brighton, Colorado. She was 79 years old. She had faced a number of health challenges in recent years and ultimately passed from heart failure, brought on by a serious infection.

Saundra Sue Calderone was born on October 2, 1945, in Dwight, Kansas, to Roy Cline Scott and Zola Marie Scott. After becoming deaf at the age of three, her parents made the courageous decision to leave their life on the family farm in Kansas and move to Denver, Colorado, in search of better educational opportunities for her. Her mother, Zola, discovered that the Evans School in Denver offered a rare speech program that would teach Saundra to speak while also educating her. She later attended Morey Junior High School—the only school in the area with a dedicated speech program—and graduated from East High School in 1962. She was part of one of the early groups of deaf students to be mainstreamed into a public high school setting.

She married Johnnie Calderone in Denver, Colorado, and together they raised three boys in a life filled with love, family, and faith.

Saundra worked for over 30 years at the United States Postal Service in Denver. She began as a mail handler and was later promoted to Deaf Liaison, a role in which she served for many years. In that position, she was a tireless advocate for deaf employees—coordinating interpreters, ensuring access to needed technology, and helping navigate workplace challenges. Her commitment made a lasting impact on the lives of many.

Faith was the foundation of Saundra’s life. A devoted Christian, she spent time in daily prayer and Bible study, living her faith with quiet strength and conviction. For many years, she was a member of Denver Temple Baptist Church, where she was active in the Silent Crusaders—the deaf ministry within the church. She sang in the Silent Crusaders choir, performing in churches and festivals throughout Colorado.

Later, she became a member of Special Bible Church, where her brother-in-law, Les Gwin, served as pastor and her sister Nancy ministered alongside him. There, she joined the Masters Hands choir, continuing to share her faith through music. Both choirs traveled the state, offering worship in sign and song to communities across Colorado.

Saundra enjoyed reading, crocheting, and spending time with family. She made afghans constantly—beautiful, detailed blankets that she gave as gifts to many friends and loved ones. She also created small holiday baskets with miniature Christmas scenes from time to time, each full of charm and attention to detail.

She was a very good cook and made Christmas candy every year, with her peanut brittle becoming a family favorite. Saundra was warm, energetic, and deeply positive. “Give a try,” she’d often say, encouraging others with kindness and quiet determination. She was generous with her time, talents, and love—and everyone who knew her felt it.

She is survived by her husband, Johnnie Calderone; her three sons, Jeff, Rick, and Jason Calderone; her sister, Nancy Gwin; her grandson, Sam Calderone; and her nieces and nephews, Randy Gwin, Scott Gwin, and Beth Warner.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Roy Cline Scott and Zola Marie Scott.

A public memorial service will be held on Friday, June 6, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Peace at Olinger Crown Hill Mortuary & Cemetery in Wheat Ridge, Colorado.

The three words that describe her life were Love, faith and positivity.