Daphne Lillian Sanderson

March 1st, 1930 – January 21st, 2022

Daphne was an amazing woman who was, by definition, a renaissance woman in her own right! Raised in an orphanage in Africa, she studied to become a nurse at the tender age of 15. She had an adventurous spirit, and a great love of nature, and animals. Daphne left Africa after meeting John Sanderson, her husband of 69 years, to go to London where he had been commissioned by the Queen to work there. They were married in London where they lived and before moving to Toronto and eventually deciding to stay in Vancouver. And together over the years they traveled all over the world together.

Daphne was always into something! She was known as the Saki Queen in her younger years, and she was also a beautiful dancer. A great lover and patron of the arts, music was a large part of her life, from big band to opera. Daphne worked for doctors through most of her professional career, eventually having her own business doing medical transcriptions for doctors who specialized in anti-aging. She ran that business until she was 82 years old.

Daphne was a breeder of Abyssinian Cats, and always had cats throughout most of her life. She supported wildlife charities, had many of her photos featured in wildlife magazines, and she volunteered at wildlife rescue. She also did work teaching adults to read. She was an amazing cook, who was completely self-taught and a wonderful hostess. She loved to entertain. Although she would not consider herself to be creative, she went through years where she wove fabrics, and made her own dyes. Made countless quilts, also making over 100 fully jointed and beautiful Teddy Bears. Her last creative endeavor she knitted over 100 hats which she donated to the Hospital for women going through Chemotherapy for breast cancer.

Daphne was a loving mother and is survived by her daughters Rowan (Roxanne) Sanderson, and Robyn Sanderson, her son Adrian and her beloved Grandson, Joshua Sanderson. “My mom was a true blessing in my life, she is missed,” Robyn.