Dorothy Mae Sanders

Dorothy Mae Sanders, age 88, entered into eternal rest on Sunday, October 1, 2017. She is survived by her son Samuel David Wagenseller; her daughter Nancy Sue O’Brien (Mrs. Michael O’Brien); and seven grandchildren: John Ebert; Thomas Ebert; Samuel David Wagenseller Jr.; Michael Sean Wagenseller; Rachel Wagenseller; Melissa O’Brien; and Nicholas O’Brien; and 9 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her daughter Leslie Brown; her parents Jesse and Gertrude Sanders; all six brothers; and all five sisters.

Dorothy was born on April 18, 1929, in Phoenix, Arizona, the last of twelve children. She grew up on a dairy ranch in the West Valley and attended Pendergast Elementary; Isaac Middle School; and Phoenix Union High School. She worked as a secretary for many decades, serving many public institutions including the State of Arizona; the City of Phoenix; and the Scottsdale School District. She spent her retirement years living in Peeples Valley, Arizona, and she relocated permanently to New River, Arizona to live with her daughter Nancy in 2016.

Dorothy’s interests included genealogy; scrapbooking; sitting on the porch and admiring the beauty of the desert; and attending her great-granddaughter’s Scouting activities as the troop’s honorary Elder Girl Scout. She was proud of her Oklahoma Cherokee heritage and always loved to talk about her early life on an Arizona cattle ranch. She will be missed by many friends and relatives.

She will be buried at Greenwood Memory Lawn with private interment. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Sunday, November 5, 2017, at 1:00 p.m. at Cross of Christ Lutheran Church, 39808 N. Gavilan Peak Parkway, Anthem, AZ 85086, and any friends and family who wish to attend are heartily welcomed.

In lieu of flowers, a donation to Hospice of the Valley would be suggested. Arrangements under the direction of Advantage Golden Door Chapel, Youngtown, AZ.