Funeral services for beloved educator set for Monday
Mrs. Saunders was born Jan. 31, 1939, the daughter of the late William Albert and Hazel (Planck) Godsave and grew up in Montrose. She graduated from Central Michigan University in 1961 and began her lifelong career in education teaching history at Cherry Hill High School.
She left her full-time teaching position to dedicate herself to raising her two sons. As her children became more independent, she returned to her career as an educator working in adult education with the South Lyon School District, before bringing her talents to the Plymouth Canton Community Schools.
Mrs. Saunders was the creator, administrator, and principal of the Adult Education Program at Starkweather School. In this pioneering role, she instituted a new program, empowering countless adults in the community with new skills and second chances, her family recalled.
Mrs. Saunders was an active and dedicated long-time member of the Plymouth Rotary Club. She continued to mentor and guide the next generation as the Rotary advisor at the Plymouth Canton Educational Park Interact Club, helping young people develop leadership skills and a heart for service.
During her early years in education, she met and married Darell Saunders. The couple, parents of sons Travis and Todd, were married for 57 years before Mr. Saunders’ death in 2021.
A lifelong learner, Mrs. Saunders loved trivia and was a big fan of Jeopardy.
Mrs. Saunders was considered a pillar of the Plymouth community as she dedicated herself to the service of others.
Among her survivors are her sons, Travis (Carol) Saunders and Todd (Marla) Saunders; grandchildren Troy (Erika) Saunders and Jake (Jordan) Saunders; great-grandchildren Walker and Oakley; many loving nieces and nephews; her fellow Rotary Club members, and many dear friends. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her sister, Sandra J. Hill.
Funeral Services will take place at the Vermeulen-Sajewski Funeral Home, 46401 Ann Arbor Road West, Plymouth. Visitation will be from 2 until 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct.12, and from 11 a.m. until noon Monday, Oct. 13, preceding the noon service.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made in Mrs. Saunders’ memory to the Plymouth Rotary Club.
