Mildred Lois Saunders, daughter of Walter and Tacy Saretzki, passed away January 4, 2021. She was born in Westerly, Rhode Island, on October 29, 1934, and raised in Ashaway, R.I. Lois was a graduate of the Rhode Island Hospital School of Nursing. She spent years working for the Visiting Nurse Association, Cedar Crest Hospital, and the American Red Cross.
Lois married Stephen Saunders on September 5, 1955, and together raised a family in Wethersfield, Connecticut. Upon retirement, they moved to “The Farm” in Stonington and traveled the United States in their RV. They finally settled in Arizona for the winters, something Lois continued even after Steve’s passing. During the summer, Lois loved spending time at the Rhode Island beaches. Later, she would travel to Japan, Switzerland, and Germany. She was a longtime member of the Seventh Day Baptist Church in Ashaway, Rhode Island. In 2012, she moved to Rocky Hill to be closer to her son Keith and her daughter Karen.
Lois was a devoted and loving wife, mom, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her generosity knew no bounds. She had many talents and interests from sewing and baking to square dancing, yoga, Tai Chi, water skiing, household repairs, Bridge, and golf. She loved being Grammy and Great-Grammy. Friday Night Dinners with her family were the highlight of her week. Lois was very proud of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and loved being a part of their lives and watching them grow.
Lois is predeceased by her husband Stephen, brother Walter Saretzki, sister Ruth McCarthy, and sister-in-law Ruth Kenyon. She is survived by her loving and devoted children daughter Karen Telesca and husband Richard, and son Keith Saunders and wife Lynette. She is also survived by her granddaughter Heather Morgan and husband Steve, her grandson Rick Telesca, her grandson Kevin Saunders and partner Jared Deith, and her great-grandchildren Jaxon and Cameryn. She also leaves her sister Helen Saretzki and her sister-in-law Carole Saretzki as well as three nieces and two nephews.
Services will be private and held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959. The D’Esopo Funeral Chapel of Wethersfield have been entrusted with the arrangements. For online expressions of sympathy to the family, please visit www.desopofuneralchapel.com.
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