Obituary of Ruth W. Sanderson

Ruth W. Sanderson, 94, formerly of the Driftwood Road in Greenhurst, passed away Wednesday, May 9, 2018 at Heritage Park Rehab & Skilled Nursing.

She was the widow of Dr. Charles W. Sanderson, whom she married June 23, 1946 and who died November 4, 1995.

Ruth was born December 2, 1923 in Andersonville, Georgia, a daughter of the late George M. and Ruth Clapp Wicker. She was a graduate of the University of Georgia and received her Master's Degree in Home Economics from Cornell University.

She was employed in earlier years as a teacher in Georgia. She was then active in the operation of her late husband's business, the Pet Animal Hospital, and later enjoyed a career as a realtor with D & F Real Estate.

A member of First Presbyterian Church, Ruth was also active in the AAUW, was 1979 recipient of the Jamestown Interclub Council's "Woman of the Year" award, and had also run for a seat on the Chautauqua County Legislature. She was a past president of the Audubon Community Nature Center and was instrumental in forming a recycling program in Chautauqua County. She also enjoyed gardening and had been active in several local gardening clubs throughout the years.

Given her husband's energetic involvement in Rotary, together they hosted many foreign exchange students in their home.

Ruth is survived by a daughter, Barbara (Richard) Grover of Knoxville, TN and son, Robert Sanderson of Jamestown; a daughter-in-law, Amy Sanderson of Jamestown; seven grandchildren: Scott Sanderson of Manchester TN, Lynn Kujan of Finksburg MD, Allison Sanderson of Arnold MD, Adam Miller of Jamestown, Laurel Hailey of Nashville TN, Kiezha Ferrell of Urbana IL and Alex Smith of Knoxville TN; and ten great-grandchildren: Avery Brown, Arieanah Miller-Warrior, Ace Miller, Martin Sanderson, Cian Ferrell, Declan Ferrell, Cormac Ferrell, Wren Hailey, Grant Kujan and Olivia Kujan; as well as many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband Charles, she was preceded in death by a son, C. Edward Sanderson, who died December 28, 2016; and siblings, Elizabeth Anderson, Stanley Wicker, David Wicker and Dorothy Collier.

The funeral will be held 2 p.m. Monday in Bellinger Chapel of First Presbyterian Church. The Rev. Donald E. Ray will officiate. Burial will be in Lake View Cemetery.

The family will receive friends 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday in the Lind Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to the Chautauqua County Humane Society, 2825 Strunk Rd., Jamestown, NY 14701; the Alzheimer's Assoc. of WNY, 2805 Wehrle Dr., Williamsville, NY 14221; or the Jamestown Audubon Society, 1600 Riverside Rd., Jamestown, NY 14701.