Marita Sanderson

1942 - 2018

SANDERSON, Marita Ingeborg Marita Ingeborg Sanderson, known to her family and friends as "Rita," beloved mother, grandmother and wife, passed away February 10, 2018. She was born on August 23, 1942 in Berlin, Germany, to parents Paul E. and Gerda H. Dolezal. She was sister to Gerhard (Gary) Dolezal, her older brother by four years. Her early childhood was marked by the upheaval of WWII, leaving her with memories of hiding in the basement of her apartment building as allied bombers leveled tenements on either side. Miraculously, her family's home was spared. Following the war, at the age of eight, her family made the journey across the Atlantic aboard the S.S. Washington in the hopes of starting a more prosperous life in the U.S. After ten days at sea, they arrived at Ellis Island on December 6, 1950. The Dolezals then moved to Omaha, NE where she quickly assimilated, taught herself English and worked her way through the school system. She graduated from Central High School in 1961. She was dedicated to her family, whether helping her father reshingle the roof, shoveling mountains of snow every winter, or helping her mother with daily chores. Rita was not, however, content to remain in Omaha for the rest of her life. Seizing the opportunity to travel, she was accepted to Braniff's hostess training college in Dallas, TX. Flying out of Love Field, she joined Braniff during its heyday, where she donned the avant-garde uniforms designed by Pucci, had her fair share of adventures and gained lifelong friendships along the way. It was at a Halloween party one fateful night that she met the love of her life, Dick Sanderson. Always discerning and self-reliant, Rita's heart was not easily won over. After gaining her U.S. citizenship in the summer of 1965, she returned to Germany to reconnect with family members not seen since the war. While overseas, she received a letter written by Dick that convinced her of his sincerity and depth of affection. They were married soon after, on December 17, 1965 and remained together for over 52 years. She embraced motherhood with conviction and dedication. Along with raising three boys, she insisted on adding girls to the family by way of adopting two beloved Labradors along the way, Brandy and later Roxy. Not long after the birth of her second son, she pursued her lifelong interest in writing by attending Richland Community College. Despite the pressing demands of family, she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Journalism from Southern Methodist University, graduating with honors in 1981. The following year, she put her degree to work by joining the campaign of former U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, then a candidate for the House of Representatives. She had numerous articles published in Texas Monthly, D Magazine and the Dallas Morning News. She loved music, especially singing and performed in the choir at Faith United Presbyterian Church in Farmers Branch. She enjoyed many years playing tennis with friends at Brookhaven Country Club. Once her boys were grown, she volunteered at the Dallas Museum of Art, becoming a docent. She gave tours of the museum's collection to area school children. She loved sharing her keen insights and knowledge with others, but most of all she listened. She is survived by her sons Mark W. Sanderson and Chris L. Sanderson, and his wife Daniela Rivera; her granddaughters Mila R. Sanderson and Lindsey Sanderson. She was preceded in death by her parents, Paul E. and Gerda H. Dolezal, her brother Gerhard P. Dolezal, her husband John R. Sanderson and her son Scott P. Sanderson. The family would like to thank the nurses and physicians at Medical City, Dallas for their extraordinary caregiving as well as the staff at Faith Presbyterian Hospice for their heartfelt kindness. The family will hold a private inurnment service at Sparkman Hillcrest.