Alice B. Sanders

SHAFTSBURY -- Alice Sanders, beloved wife of Clyde H. Sanders Sr., a resident of Twitchell Hill Road, passed away at her home Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2004, with her family at her bedside.

Born in Bennington on Dec. 20, 1937, she was the daughter of the late Ernest and Dorothy (Dorman) Carpenter. She received her education in Bennington schools.

Mr. and Mrs. Sanders were married in Greenwich, N.Y. in 1956. In earlier years, Mrs. Sanders was employed at Schmeltzer and then Nastech. Her home and family were her main interests, especially her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and her dog Chrissy. Alice’s love for dogs was evident. She especially loved basset hounds and had bred and raised many bassets over the years.

The last two years of her life, Alice was a strong advocate for the Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. In 2003, Alice was one of the survivors who carried the torch during the first lap at the Relay Walk. In 2004, she spent numerous hours fund-raising for the Relay for Life. Also, during the past two years, she was able to escape the burden of having cancer when she was driving her red Mustang convertible. Alice’s home was often considered a safe haven for many and a welcome place for the neighborhood kids. Her door was always open and an extra plate was always available at the dinner table if unexpected company happened to drop by.

Survivors include her husband of 48 years, Clyde H. Sanders Sr. of Shaftsbury; three daughters and their husbands, Kathy and Tom Dockum, their daughters and spouses Nikki and Jeff Johnson, and Kati and Louis Beveraggi; Noreen and Mark Gardner and their children, Mackenzie, Logan, Keegan, Torin and Jordan; Doreen and Gary Kinney and their children, Ryan, Carson, Haley, and Robert. She is also survived by one son, Clyde H. Sanders Jr., and his children, Jason and Emelia; two great-granddaughters, Lauren Johnson and Samantha Beveraggi; four sisters, Beatrice O’Dell of Bennington, Leona Willard of Whitney Point, N.Y., and Linda Holland and Judy Bushee, both of Pownal; two brothers, Lawrence Carpenter of Bennington and Roger Hill of Thomaston, Conn.; along with nieces, nephews and cousins. Mrs. Sanders was predeceased by two sisters, Mildred Thompson and Janet Regan; and three brothers, Raymond Carpenter, John Carpenter and Donald Carpenter.

Funeral services will be held from the Mahar & Son Funeral Home, Friday, Dec. 3, at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Michael Benoit officiating. Interment will take place privately at the convenience of the family. If friends desire, contributions in memory of Mrs. Sanders may be made to the Cancer Society Relay for Life, through the Mahar & Son Funeral Home, 628 Main St., Bennington, VT 05201.