Sylvia Sanders

Sylvia Sitterley Sanders, 89, formerly of Grosse Pointe, MI, passed away on July 29, 2024, in Fort Wayne. She was born on September 3, 1934, in Columbus, OH, to the late John H. and Lucile (Bishop) Sitterley. She spent her formative years in Columbus and graduated from Upper Arlington High School and later from Oberlin College. Sylvia was married to Leslie A. Sanders, on August 10, 1957. She met her husband at Oberlin College, then taught primary grades in Cleveland and Columbus Ohio. Sylvia was an active member of Grosse Pointe Memorial Church. She enjoyed making friends in church classes, bowling league, and Women's Connection, and later played in the handbell choir. Birdwatching and having a house cat were long time hobbies. Other interests included archery, wildlife conservation and reading mystery and history books. Sylvia was also in the Detroit League of Women Voters, a bridge group, Oberlin Alumni Reunion planning committee, the AAUW, garden club, and Gold & Silver Trefoil group. Camping as a family included fun menus, travel to state, provincial or national parks, and learning American history at places like Boston, Philadelphia and Washington DC. She gladly served as homemaker and Mom to Laura and Kirk while getting them involved in scouting, piano lessons, school band, music camp, and church choir. The family attended many symphony concerts and musical plays. As a Girl Scout leader her teaching, art and camping skills blessed elementary girls for about ten years. Sylvia's talent and pleasure in art led to various art classes and eventually joining a ladies studio group. While there she painted many pastel paintings, often of outdoor scenes or wildlife. For a few years she co-owned a resale toy store, Moms' Toy Attic. In later career years, she was an architectural librarian at Albert Kahn Associates in Detroit. As "empty nesters" the Sanders traveled to Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain, Germany and Russia. They frequently visited her sister Emily in Brasilia, Brazil. In retirement, Sylvia volunteered at the Detroit Historical Museum, Bell Isle Aquarium, and Edsel Ford Home. She did more international travel with church friends and Elderhostel groups. Priority was always given to visits with her son, Kirk and his wife Jill in Albuquerque, NM, or to Craig and Laura Myers and grand-daughters in rural Churubusco, Indiana. Family and friends will miss her ready smile, positive outlook, encouragement and singing faith, which her old age dementia could not dim. Sylvia is survived by her daughter, Laura (Craig) Myers of Churubusco; her son Kirk (Jill) Sanders of Albuquerque, NM; her four granddaughters, Cora (Kevin) Lupardo, Olivia, Bethan, and Faith Myers. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, and a sister, Emily Sitterley. A funeral service will take place at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 1, 2024, at Sheets & Childs Funeral Home, Churubusco Chapel, with calling beginning at 5:00 p.m. A memorial service will be held at Grosse Pointe Memorial Church at 111:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 24, 2024, with calling one hour prior to the service. Following the service Sylvia will be interned into the Columbarium at the Church. Memorials may be directed to Grosse Pointe Memorial Church Music Department, World Wildlife Fund, or Doctors without Borders. Sheets & Childs Funeral Home has been entrusted with these arrangements.