Sara Gertrude Saunders

Sara Saunders Obituary

Sara Gertrude Saunders 12/05/1919 ~10/15/2010 OCEANSIDE -- Using Sara's own analogy of "dancing alone" after Cliff's passing -- "you danced together for 61 years, then had to learn to dance alone for the last seven. Now you can dance together again through eternity." Sara and her devoted husband of 61 years, Cliff Saunders, chose Oceanside, California as the ideal place to retire. She was diagnosed with colon cancer five months ago, and ultimately died peacefully on Friday, October 15, 2010 due to heart failure, in the home she loved so much. Sara and Cliff led a full life backpacking and exploring nature throughout the United States. They did not have any children and mutually supported each other in their professional and personal goals and interests. Sara had an array of jobs which included working as a maid for $5.00 a week after graduation from high school, a Hand Mounter for General Electric and a Riveter on B-29s during W.W. II, before she reached her goal of obtaining a Masters of Art in Sociology. She ended her professional career as a Social Worker alongside Cliff, who became a Professor in Sociology at Old Dominion University. Sara was an amazing person with many skills. She was proficient in sewing, pottery, painting and her latest endeavor lead her to a Creative Writing class at Mira Costa College. She was active in the Oceanside Newcomers Group, the Audubon Society, the Henie Hills Homeowner's Association, and continued in a writing group where she developed lasting friendships. Her husband, Cliff Saunders, and sister, Dorothy Wright, preceded her in death. She is survived by her brother, Al Baltes in Santa Barbara, Calif.; and sister, Katherine Baltes in Reseda, Calif.; along with nieces, Claudine Holcomb, Symbria Patterson, Katie Write, and Karen Novak; nephew, Lewis Wright, and their respective families. Per her wishes, there will not be a funeral service. She was cremated with a burial at sea along with her wishes to have her husband's ashes scattered with hers. You will be loved and missed so much by everyone whose life you touched. Sign the Guest Book online obits.nctimes.com

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Published by North County Times on Nov. 21, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Sara Saunders

10 Entries

December 6, 2010

I met Sara when she & Cliff moved next door to us in Oceanside in the early 80's. We have been friends for over 30 years. Lots of memories of good times. She often joined us for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I missed her this year and we always will. She was a great friend. I also won't forget our long phone conversations. I am so glad that she & Cliff are dancing together again, Happily Reunited!

Her Friend,

Margaret Trautman

Margaret Trautman

December 6, 2010

I met Sara when she and Cliff moved to Oceanside next door to us in the early 80's. We have been friends for over 30 years. Lots of memories of good times. She often joined us for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I missed her this year and we always will. She was a great friend and I won't forget our long phone conversations. I'm glad she is with Cliff and that they are dancing together again. Happily Reunited! Her friend - Margaret Trautman

Margaret Trautman

December 6, 2010

Shelly Schmaltz

November 29, 2010

Dear Sara was a golden inspiration. I would see her walking, amazed at her strength and determination. She created a life without Cliff and I stood in awe she could do so. Now she may know how important a role model she was. What a blessing she had in Janet! Another teaching she has done.....

Will miss her encounters and coffee.
Shelly

Maria Buttler

November 25, 2010

Queridisima Sara, my friend.

There is so much to share about you and our friendship. We met just after Mr. Cliff passed away.
I was there to clean your house instead you opened your heart to help me clean my life, my spirit, my choices, my attitude, you helped become a better person, your love, your support, your strength, your wisdom, your sense of humor gave me the hope and understanding of a true friendship. You will always be my most valuable spiritual gift.
I treasure every single time we spend together, cutting fruit in your backyard, sliding down the hill getting apples, peaches.
I was so honored when you shared with me writings, your art work, your sewing, and all the wonderful talents you had. You absolutely blew my mind, how proud I felt that I was your friend.
I will never forget the day you showed me your new backyard and garden, we walked around and sat in the middle of it and enjoyed the view that was so special, then I said “Sara we need to trim the palm trees” and you said “no way those trees are the home for the bats I don’t intend to let them go homeless.”
My boys and I will miss you so much on Christmas eve. We will miss you on those days that we had dinners together, just because having you share with me son’s graduation meant the world to me.
Listen my sweet friend I know you are in heaven, even though to you, God had nothing to do with it, but you were so gracious to let all of us pray for you and love you our own way.
You were amazing!!!
God Bless you sweet heart.
I will forever miss you my Sara.
All my love always Maria Buttler, Vista California

Anne-Marie Dytewski

November 23, 2010

Sara and I were classmates in Creative Writing. She amazed me with her youth and vitality. I am happy to have been a part of her 90th birthday celebration.

ELIZABETH YAHN WILLIAMS

November 23, 2010

As a member of the El Corazon Creative Writers, I enjoyed the fresh fictional and biographical takes Sara delivered to our group. Her truths resounded to all, as the church bells that will toll this Thanksgiving! We are thankful for her.

Tom Reeser

November 22, 2010

I had the opportunity to meet Sara when we took a long ride out to Lawrence Welk Resort. Sara loved KOCT and wanted to donate her condo-time-share to help her local community tv station! Later she also volunteered a bit at KOCT and shared with me excerpts from her autobiography. KOCT then did a story about MiraCosta Life class where she began writing her unique life story. She had an amazing memory about growing up and her family.

I'm glad her good friend Janet was there for Sara since Sara was there for so many others. KOCT and I thank her for her donation, support and her volunteer work. She will be remembered.

November 21, 2010

Sestina for Sara

I knew Sara for just over a year.
We met in a creative writing class
where Sara

Janet Simonetti

November 21, 2010

My special friend Sara – I will always treasure the bond we shared throughout our 25-year friendship, which became even stronger over the last 5 months when I was blessed to live with you as you fought your battle with cancer. We shared so many stories -- cried together and laughed together even more. The one belly laugh I’ll never forget is the night I asked you what should I do if your defibrillator went off, and if I should give you artificial insemination. You were shocked and asked me what? I then repeated it, not realizing I used the wrong word and meant respiration, not insemination. We laughed so hard and couldn’t stop. You finally said “I wish you could, we’d both be rich when it’s put in the medical journals that a 90-year old gets artificially inseminated to make her heart start working, but I guess that would surely give it a jolt”! Oh Sara, we laughed about that for days. There were so many other stories that we shared – too many to write about.

You were one of a kind, caring and compassionate but also totally honest, even if it meant taking a not-so-popular opinion. That’s why I always respected your opinion. It was honest and up-front. I don’t know how many times I came to you and Cliff with my own problems and neither of you ever tired of listening and giving your advice.

I was in awe of your many talents and interests, from sewing, painting, pottery, gardening, canning, knitting and your latest endeavor – creative writing. You definitely lived life to the fullest. You and Cliff were an unbelievably close couple for 61 years of marriage where you both gave unselfishly to each other. When Cliff was going through a bout with dementia, it was amazing how patient and loving you were. I know you and Cliff are together again and that’s a comforting thought.

I love you my special friend. I will cherish every memory and will miss you always. You touched my heart and my life.

God bless you through eternity.
Your loving friend always
Janet Simonetti

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