Ellen L. Sanford

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Ellen L. Sanford, 106, passed peacefully on Aug. 20, 2020 at Delhi Rehabilitation and Nursing Facility where she had resided since January, 2018. She was born Nov. 1, 1913 in East Meredith, the daughter of William and Susan Zeller.  

After moving with her family to Bloomville at a young age, she received her education in Bloomville where she rode her horse from the family farm on Webster Brook. After her high school days, she met and eventually married Marion “Slim” Sanford on Aug. 23, 1931, in Walton. Soon after, they bought a small farm on Bell Hill in Delhi, where they raised their five children. After the death of her husband on Nov. 27, 1959, Sanford worked at the campus store at Delhi College and also for the census bureau before enrolling in the first LPN school offered at Fox Hospital in Oneonta. After graduation, she was employed for her entire nursing career at Fox Hospital, eventually retiring as charge nurse on unit one of the nursing home. She was an extraordinary nurse who loved her job and her patients.

In addition to her parents and husband, Sanford was predeceased by two brothers, Calvin and Walter, her eldest son Richard Sanford, Delhi and two sons-in-law, Richard J. O’Hara of Otego and Richard Pearson, Delhi. Surviving are one son Robert (Mary) Sanford, Delhi, and three daughters, Susan Pearson, Delhi, Marie Parenteau, Weston, Fla., and Ellen O’Hara (Doug Whittaker), East Meredith, eight grandchildren, Philip (Roxana) Parenteau, Jean Parenteau (Robbie Weaver),  Kristin (Jeff) Parenteau-Kovalsick, Richard Pearson, Nancy Pearson, Erika (Donnie) Liddle, Alan (Kelly) Sanford, Steve Simmons (Jane Murphy), seven great grandchildren, Shylabeth (Ryan) Taylor, Mackenzie Liddle, Taylor Simmons, Hunter Simmons, Jordan Sanford, Alan J. Sanford, Colby Sanford, and one great-great grandson, Jack Taylor. She is also survived by son-in-law Phil Parenteau Sr and many nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to the many friends who loved her dearly, she leaves behind several special friends including, but not limited to, Linda Shepard, Delancey, Paul and Carol Dibble, Bloomville, Evelynne Heineman, Lewes, Del., Gert Mostert, Delhi and the Bloomville Methodist Church ladies.

Sanford was a truly remarkable lady who always put family first and who had the ability to always think positively, regardless of the circumstances. She was a “people person” who rushed to put the teapot on when friends or family dropped by to visit and hear her wonderful stories of growing up during simpler times - when she rode her horse to school and raced the boys home afterwards (and won), or when a evening out involved going to house parties in a horse drawn sleigh which, on one occasion, tipped over in a snowbank when they rounded a corner too fast. She was never without a smile and was known for her sense of humor and quick wit. The words, “I just love your mom,” were repeated continually by her friends and nursing home caregivers/employees and as one fellow resident was overheard saying, “She’s as cute as a button.”  She made a lasting impression on everyone she met, young or old, and she will forever be held close in many hearts.

Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 18, at the Woodland Cemetery in Delhi, followed by a celebration of life at the Delhi American Legion, Page Ave., Delhi.   

Contributions in her memory may be made to the United Methodist Church, Bloomville, the Bloomville Emergency Squad, or any charity. 

Please visit www.macarthurfh.com to share a condolence with the Sanford Family.