Joan Sanford

Joan Elizabeth (Gladden) Sanford, age 86 of Columbus, passed away Friday, January 21, 2022, in Louisville, KY. Joan was born and raised in Plainfield, NJ, daughter of the late Lowell C. and Rosann M. Gladden. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 64 years Marion “Pooch” Sanford, her parents and step-mother Maud C. Gladden, sister Ruth M. Brown, and brother-in-law Ted Brown. Joan graduated from The Ohio State University where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi Sorority. Joan met her husband, the love of her life, while at Ohio State and was a life-long Buckeye fan. Through the years, Joan remained an active Alumni member of both OSU and Pi Beta Phi. She was a wonderful homemaker and enjoyed cooking for her family and entertaining friends. After her children were grown, Joan pursued a professional career with Gates McDonald where she retired after more than 15 years of dedicated service. Never one to stay still for long, Joan led a very active lifestyle. Her father taught her how to play golf and bridge at a young age. She continued to enjoy both hobbies, playing in several golf leagues and bridge clubs throughout her life. She was a certified Master Gardener and participated in her local Garden Club for many years. Joan not only enjoyed but excelled in oil painting. Her artistic talent was noticed by many and her work was featured in several shows throughout the Columbus area. She participated in Bible Study Fellowship and was an active member of Covenant Presbyterian Church where she served as an Elder and Deacon. Joan dedicated much of her life to volunteering for a variety of organizations including The American Heart Association, The American Cancer Society, and Girl Scouts of USA where she was a Troop Leader for many years. Joan was also a very active member of The Childhood League where she served on the Assisting Board VI Executive Board. Most of all, she loved spending time at the family farm in Belmont County with her children and grandchildren. She was always up for a game of Dominos and many competitive games were played late into the night with her family while at the farm. She was a member of Belmont Hills Country Club where many memories were made with friends and family. After Pooch passed away in August 2021, Joan moved to Louisville, KY and was warmly welcomed at The Legacy at English Station where she was immediately loved by all. Her kind and loving nature had a huge impact on many of the residents and staff in her short time there. She was very dedicated to her family, loved to travel, enjoyed vacations at the Jersey Shore and the Outer Banks of North Carolina, and lived her life to the fullest - always with Pooch by her side. She will be greatly missed by her loving family; children, Ann (David) Douglas of Anchorage, KY and James (Marcie) Sanford of Riverside, IL; grandchildren, Sarah (Arich Ryan) Reynolds, Rebecca Douglas, Thomas Douglas, and Melissa Sanford; great-grandson, Arich Reynolds; six nieces and nephews, and many other extended family members and dear friends. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org or The American Heart Association at www.heart.org. Watch webcast for Joan Sanford at https://webcasts.lifetributes.com/1205633