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Joan Saunders Obituary
of Montrose, Pa.
Joan Saunders, 78, of Montrose, Pa. passed away, Friday, August 15, 2008, at the Endless Mountains Health Systems. She was born Feb. 17, 1930 in Drexel Hill, Pa. Joan was the youngest of six children of the late Dr. Frederick Boerner and Esther Wilkie. She graduated from Upper Darby High School in 1948 and from the University of Pennsylvania in 1952. In 1953 she married Stanley Saunders who died in 1998. She taught for 19 years in the Montrose Area School District as a first grade teacher. In 1992 she was listed in "Who's Who among America's Teachers." For many years Joan did genealogy and was a member of the Susquehanna Co. Historical Society. She also enjoyed doing cross stitch, puzzles and was an avid reader. In later years she was cared for by her son, David, with a lot of love and patience. She was also helped by special friends, Gail Stone and Terri Bennett. She is survived by her sons, Kenneth (Kathleen), Tunkhannock, Pa., Stephen (Diana), Merced, California, and David, at home; grandchildren, Kristina Olah, Allyson Saunders, Hillary (Justin) Bishop, and Joseph Saunders; great-grandchildren, McKenzie Olah and Janie Bishop; nieces and nephews; sister, Nancy (Warren) Smith; and a brother, Frederick. She was predeceased by a brother, Robert; and sisters, Doris and Eleanor.
Please go to bartronmyerfuneralhome.com for directions. Services: Tuesday, 1:00 p.m. at the Bartron-Myer Funeral Home, Inc., Montrose, Pa. Visitation: Monday, 7:00-9:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Instead of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Susquehanna County Historical Society and Free Library Association, 2 Monument Square, Montrose, Pa. 18801 in memory of Joan Saunders.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Joan Saunders
Sponsored by Allyson Saunders, one of Joan's grandchildren.
Allyson
September 20, 2009
I still miss you sooo much. I remember crying when I was little as mom and dad would pick me up from your house. I would cry all the way down all the way down Union and up Cherry Street. I would stop only when my tears were all dried up. I feel like that now, and I feel like I’m going to cry forever...
Allyson
September 12, 2009
I still can't believe you're gone. I miss you so much. I would always call you when it was back to school time, because you always understood what that meant. I never even got to tell you at the end of the last school year that the school started a new tradition as a way to honor me. Prospect Hill Academy Charter School began the "outstanding Educator Award" as a means to recognize a faculty member that words hard and pushes the school to be even better. The first recipient was me. I had an unprepared breakdown that day as I accepted it, because the one person I wanted to call first...I couldn't. I Love you so much and I accepted it with you on my mind. I love you & miss you more than ever...if possible:(
Love,
Allyson
PS- Thank you for inspiring me to become a teacher...
Allyson
February 17, 2009
Happy Birthday Grandma...
I love you and miss you. I'm just about to make a donation in your memory to the Susquehanna County Historical Society and Free Library Association. I hope you're having a nice day wherever your spirit takes you...
Allyson
January 19, 2009
Today is my 29th birthday, and I am having such a difficult time, because this will be the first birthday I will not receive a call or card from my grandma. I miss her so much and think about her so much. I swear it's actually getting harder ... I just finished going through all the e-mails my grandma had sent me...The last one was to inform me that she was on a sudoku roll....I love you and miss you so much grandma
Patti Tewksbury
August 28, 2008
To the Saunders family, I am sorry that I never had the opportunity to meet this wonderful lady but she certainly has raised a great family and you can tell by the things that they have written that she had a huge impact on each of them.
You are all in my thoughts and prayers. (take care, Allyson!)
Lisa (Frisbie) McVaugh
August 27, 2008
I'm so sorry for the family and will lift you all in prayers.
I had Mrs. Saunders as my first grade teacher a long time ago. I was just speaking with my daughters about elem. teachers and favorites and she was one of mine!! As school just started again, we've been talking more and more about favorite teachers and school things. How sad I was to read about the loss of Mrs. Saunders.
May God Bless everyone who was touched by her, I know I was.
vivian short
August 21, 2008
David it's been a very long time since we've seen eachother 27 years but I want to send my prayers to you and your family in this time of loss. I have read the entries in this guest book and your Mom sounds like a wonderful woman and will be truly missed. My prayers go out to you all.
Joan's Family
August 20, 2008
I don't know if people that have signed will revisit this guestbook, but I wanted to let you all know it means a lot to the family that you've reached out and shared your memories. It's also just so great and touching to hear how she has affected other peoples' lives. For those of you reading this that haven't signed or aren't sure you want to. I would love to hear anything and everything about my grandma. I cried when I noticed the first posting was a former student. She loved teaching, and playing her cards back in the day! Thanks to those that are sharing and helping to keep her alive through memories. This book is permanent. Feel free to come back and post other times when something reminds you of her. It'll be great to read & help through rough times....
Doug Bachman
August 20, 2008
Aunt Joan, In about 15-20 years ago I first had the change to really meet you. You were the first family members to accept me to the family. I have had great love for you both at that time. Uncle Stan was the first relative to bond with me. I do not have that with my own family but both of them made me feel accepted. I remember going yard saleing in Chapmins with Uncle Stan and his top priority was baseball cards. He had life at the fullest and that day on I loved him. He reminded me of my grandfather. I had never laughed so much as I did with him.I wish I would have know the more important things in life like Aunt Joan did and spent more time with them. Love you nephew Doug
Anna Maynard
August 20, 2008
My condolences to Joan's family. She was a kind person, with such a variety of interests. I'm sure she will live on in many, many people's hearts.
Colleen Gurn
August 20, 2008
To David and family,
I'm sure we all know that I never mastered UNO or Pinochle, Pitch or any of the card games that Mrs. Saunders tried on countless occassions to teach me. BUT talk about making her laugh! We had so much fun way back when, thank you Mrs. Saunders for the cherished memories. May God bless your family with achey sides when they laugh at the funny things they did with you as the years went on. What a great loss to the community.
Sincerely, Colleen
cindy bachman
August 18, 2008
Aunt Joan, We will all miss you so much. Thank you for all you have done for the family in tracing our genealogy. It is something that all of us can pass down to future generations. I can not find the right words to express how sad your passing has made me. I'll miss not being able to e-mail you questions. You will always be in my heart and thoughts. I Love you, Cindy
Ms. Allyson Saunders & Mrs. Joan Saunders = Teachers forever!!!
Allyson Saunders
August 17, 2008
My grandma was a wonderful, caring and thoughtful person who made many contributions to her community, her school and my family. For as long as I can remember, my grandma was always reminding me to say, “please and thank you” and to send thank you cards to those that have helped me along my way in life. Because of her, I am more of an appreciative person. I am happy that I was able to share my grandma with so many people in this world, and she loved to share her stories and keep people in touch with each other. I was more connected to the world because of her. Family was important to her, taking care of each other was important to her, donating money to help others was important to her, and being financially responsible was important to her.
Though I can't remember the first time I met my grandma, I can remember how much I hated leaving her house and crying when I had to leave. I remember spending summer days with her and my grandpa mowing the grass, having lunch, sharing books, talking about our teaching experiences, and how could I forget their house was the first place I went to after getting my first speeding ticket. My grandma's passing is a huge event in my life. She and grandpa were the glue to our family and their home was the only consistent thing about my life. I will miss her so much, and will think about her every time I see a cross-stitch, read a book I think she’d enjoy, or when I set my up my room for another school year, or when a child needs extra help with their handwriting and each and every time someone either says or doesn’t say, “please” or “thank you”. I am sad to be writing my final "thank you" to my grandma, because she is not even here to read it, but it was saying thank you and showing appreciation for things people do was always important to her. I can’t believe this day has come but here it goes:
Dear Grandma,
Thank you for teaching me appreciation, to be thoughtful and giving to others, to save and budget my money, and thank you for every wonderful book you ever lent me, for every stitch you spent on the cross-stitch you created for me, for sending me sudoku puzzles, for always sending me a birthday card and Christmas card, thank you so much on behalf of the entire family for researching the roots of our family and creating the volumes of genealogy books that will be passed down from generation to generation, thank you for every penny that helped me complete my college education, and most, but certainly not least....thank you for inspiring my love of teaching and helping others. You are the inspiration to my life and I hope to make you proud as I continue to live my life and remember all the life lessons and values you taught to me. I will love and miss you forever.
Love,
Allyson
Jennifer
August 17, 2008
My deepest sympathies. I had Mrs. Saunders for first grade MANY years ago and she left a lasting impression on me. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
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