Obituary of Mary G. Sanders

Sanders, Mary Gilmour (Steltmann, Campos) Rochester: Dec. 20, 2014 at age 91. Mary passed away at St. Ann's Home while in hospice care. Born in Oswego, NY on Jan 14, 1923 she was the daughter of the late John and Louise Gilmour. She was also predeceased by her husband, R. Ridgely Sanders, father and mother in law, Carroll and Nina Sanders, brothers in law, Charles Steltmann and Robert Graveley. Survivors include her loving and devoted sister, Margaret Steltmann of Irondequoit NY., her sister in law, Margaret Graveley of White Plains, NY, nieces, Lynn Steltmann of Irondequoit, NY, Anne Steltmann Campos (Michael) of Johnstown, NY, Nancy Steltmann (Katerine Block) of Grand Rapids, MI., nephew, Peter Steltmann (Julia) of Fairport, NY, grand nieces and nephew, Amy Campos Heikes (Ben) of East Walpole Mass., Sarah Steltmann and Ian Steltmann of Fairport, NY. Mary graduated from Oswego High School in 1940 as the class Salutatorian and went on to graduate Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa from the Syracuse University School of Journalism in 1944. She served as editor of the school newspaper, the Daily Orange. After graduation she joined the US Navy Women's Reserve Officers Training School achieving the rank of Lieutenant. During world war II, she served as a communications specialist. On July 9, 1949, she married her home town sweet heart, Ridge Sanders. While they were working on their masters degrees at Syracuse, she worked in the public relations department there. In 1952, Ridge's job with Proctor and Gamble took them to Cincinnati, Ohio where they lived for 50 years. Mary was proud of her Scottish heritage. She and Ridge were very involved in Clan Donald USA and the Claedonian Society of Cincinnati. They made numerous trips to Scotland and in 1980 she was became a lady of the order of St. Margaret an honor bestowed by the Caledonians. Mary was also and avid golfer and with Ridge was a founding member of the Miami View Golf Club in Cincinnati. She also enjoyed bridge, bowling, and following college basketball right through the final four. After Ridge's death, Mary moved to Rochester in 2004 to be closer to family. She first resided at Cranberry Landing and spent the last four years at Cherry Ridge in Webster. Her family will receive friends Saturday 9:00 - 10:00am at the funeral home (570 Kings hwy south), where her funeral service will follow at 10:00am. Interment Riverside Cemetery, Oswego, NY. Donations can be made to St. Ann's Foundation. To share a memory or send the family a condolence, please visit www.harrisfuneralhome.com.