Helen Patricia Sanford

3/17/1927 - 10/1/2024

Fort Pierce, Fla. - Helen Patricia (Harran) Sanford, age 97 of Fort Pierce, Fla., formerly of Groton, passed away peacefully Oct. 1, 2024. Born March 17, 1927, in New London, she was the daughter of Clifford and Florence (Lima) Harran.

She graduated from Fitch Senior High School June 6, 1944 (D-Day). She worked for Tommy's Flowers in Groton, in the mid to late 1960s. She also worked at Krynick Buick-Opel in New London, and then for the City of Groton finance department until her retirement in 1997.

She was married to her loving husband William E. Sanford Jr. for 71 years until his passing Jan. 30, 2018. They have four children: William E. Sanford III (Deborah) of Fort Pierce, Fla., Patricia J. DeHay (Robert) of Port Charlotte, Fla., Susan L. Burns (Al) of Fort Pierce, Fla., and Scott C. Sanford (Jennifer) of Uncasville. They also have ten grandchildren; and eleven great-grandchildren.

Helen loved doing crafts and decorating with flowers. She was an avid duckpin bowler and once had a three game score of 444.

She is survived by her brother Clifford Harran of Montville. She was predeceased by her brother Thomas Harran.

The Sanford family would like to extend their gratitude to the Lynmoore at Lawnwood for their care and compassion; also to Treasure Coast Hospice for the great care for Helen in her final days.

The funeral is private and there will be no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Wounded Warriors, a cause that Helen felt strongly about. Please visit www.byles.com to share a memory with the family.