Mary Anne Sanders

Mary Anne Sanders, 93, of Springfield, Ohio, passed away peacefully on July 9, 2026, in her home, surrounded by the family she loved so deeply.

Mary was born on December 6, 1932, in Jackson, Ohio. At the age of sixteen, she moved to Springfield, where she completed her high school education at JVS and furthered her education at Wittenberg University. It was there that she built a life she loved and proudly called home.

Throughout her life, Mary was known for her incredible work ethic. She worked as an accountant at ITT, owned Ridgewood Market, was a top-selling Avon representative, and spent many years as a medical transcriptionist, first in Medical Records at Mercy Hospital and later with Family Practice Associates. She also generously gave her time volunteering at Mercy Hospital and supporting the Springfield Youth Baseball Association. No matter what role she held, she gave it her all. But if you asked Mary what her greatest accomplishment was, it would never have been her career. It was always her family.

To know Mary was to know unconditional love. She was the heart of our family—the one who made everyone feel welcome, loved, and important. Her home was never just a house; it was a gathering place where everyone was always welcome, where holidays became treasured traditions, and where countless memories were made.

She had a gift for making every person feel special and creating memories that would last a lifetime. Birthdays always included her famous little prelude before singing “Happy Birthday,” something her family will never forget. Every Halloween, she personally delivered donuts and cider to her family, and she also enjoyed dressing up in a fun costume to celebrate the season. Those traditions were just a few of the many ways she made life sweeter for the people she loved.

Mary was the kind of person who never complained, always found the positive, and cared more about others than she ever did herself. She was endlessly selfless, quietly generous, and genuinely kind. She had a gift for making people feel seen and loved, and those who knew her often walked away wanting to be a little better because of the example she set.

She also had a fun side. She was an incredibly loyal Dallas Cowboys and Ohio State Buckeyes fan, proudly wearing her fan gear every game day. Win or lose, she never stopped cheering them on.

More than anything, Mary loved being "Grandma." She poured herself into her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and every member of her family. Her love became the foundation that held generations together, and that legacy will continue long after her passing.

Mary is survived by her son, Bill (Kristy) Sanders, and daughter, LaDonna (Ronnie) Bowshier; her stepchildren, Steve (Renee) Sanders, James Sanders, Sue (Mike) Bailey, Cindy Shawver, Timothy (Cindy) Sanders, Barb Parker, Gayle (Tanya) Sanders, Kim Sanders, and Michael (Summer) Sanders; her grandchildren, Emily (Michael) Olah, Amanda (Adam) Johnston, Brandon (Megan) Short, Billy (Lexi) Sanders, Cayci (Frankie) Molina, Darian Schetter, and Matthew (Madelyn) Harris; her step-grandchildren, Kevin Sanders, Kelly Brown, Amber Brown, Lindsay Bailey, Jason Shawver, TJ Sanders, Kayla Shawver, Micah Parker, Anthony Sanders, Chris Carty, Steven Carty, Nick McKinley, Lacy McKinley, Arieona Sanders, Adielee Sanders, and Arikson Sanders; her great-grandchildren, Quinn Johnston, Burke Johnston, Ellie Wagner, Aria Short, Grady Johnston, Charli Sanders, Emmie Jo Short, Sophie Harris, Carter Harris, Reece Sanders, Rowan Olah, Anelie Molina, and Olivia Harris, along with a great-granddaughter who is eagerly awaited; as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and countless friends whose lives she touched.

She was preceded in death by her brothers, William, Stan, Satch, and Charles Mannering; her sisters, Iona, Jeanie, and Dorothy Mannering; her previous husband, former Clark County Sheriff Donald E. Sanders; her stepson, Donald E. Sanders, Jr.; and her stepson-in-law, James Parker.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Mary's life during visitation on Thursday, July 16, 2026, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Jackson Lytle & Lewis Life Celebration Center. Funeral services will be held Friday, July 17, at 10:00 a.m. at the funeral home, with burial to follow at Ferncliff Cemetery.

The family extends their sincere gratitude to Ohio Hospice, especially Kristen Barclay, for the exceptional care and compassion shown to Mary and her family.

The greatest thing Mary ever built wasn't a career or a home, it was a family. Her love will continue to live on every time they gather around a table, celebrate a birthday, cheer on her favorite sports teams or remember the woman who made all of those moments so special. She will be deeply missed and forever loved.