Duane C. Saunders
Duane Christine Saunders, 71, of 10 Vista Avenue, Bradford, passed away on Monday, January 24, 2022, at Cleveland Clinic, in Cleveland, OH.
Duane was born October 14, 1950, in Oklahoma City, OK, a daughter of the late Louis James and Betty Jo (Wilson) Ray. She was a graduate of Classen High School in Oklahoma City, and the University of Oklahoma. She completed Airline Flight Attendant School in Chicago with United Airlines, with whom she was employed as a flight attendant for more than ten years.
On July 28, 1973, Duane became the beautiful and loving wife of Robert “Bob” Saunders. She was the proud mother of two sons, Ryan Saunders (his wife, KC), of Boulder, CO, and Blake Saunders, of Winter Park, CO. She was the adoring Mamaw of Ryan and KC’s daughters, Petra and Naomi, whom she referred to as her little angels.
She was dearly loved by her siblings, Lynn Carol Pannell and her husband, Bob, of Coastal, SC, Luanne Wible of Edmond, OK; and Louie Ray and fiancé, Heather, of Granby, CO and Cocoa Beach, FL. Louie’s selfless and generous gift of a kidney extended Duane’s life for over a decade. She equally loved her brother-in-law, Bart (Lisa) Saunders of Orlando, FL. and Ellicottville, NY, and sister-in-law, Sue Saunders, of Winter Park, FL. Duane is also survived by several nieces and nephews, all of whom she adored.
Duane had a smile and a warmth that lit up a room. She never met a stranger, striking up impromptu conversations with people wherever she went. She was a lover of nature, from the beauty of the Colorado snow to the warmth of the ocean, where she had homes and enjoyed friendships from Bradford, to Heathrow, FL, to Winter Park, CO. She and her family loved to travel. She was always very athletic, loved to ski, run and hike. She was a great water skier and enjoyed boating with friends and family at the Kinzua Dam and Granby Lake in CO. She was an avid golfer, belonging to the Pennhills Club in Bradford and the Heathrow Country Club in Florida.
She was always involved in the community of Bradford and was engaged in numerous charitable organizations. She was a longtime board member of the YMCA in Bradford. She was very active in the formative years of The Learning Center, where her sons attended. She loved taking her sons and their friends to ski at Holiday Valley and other places.
Duane was active and healthy all of her life, but very recently was faced with a very rare and fast-moving form of cancer.
Friends will be invited to attend a Celebration of Life at a later date, which will be announced.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes Inc.
Memorial contributions if desired may be made to Project Sanctuary, P.O. Box 1563, Granby CO 80446 or www.projectsanctuary.us, The Learning Center, Bradford, or a charity of the donor’s choice.
Online condolences maybe expressed at www.hollenbeckcahill.com
All Condolences -
Good bye old friend...
— Richard
I have just learned of Duane''s passing. She was such a resilient woman that chose optimism and interest in others, rather than to dwell on her own challenges. She will be missed by all that have had the privilege of knowing her. Thank you for sharing her with me!
— Donna Dates
She was so kind to me was the first thing I said when I heard this sad news. I think that is a sure sign of a life well lived and a great way to be remembered. I appreciate all the childhood memories of her at Holiday Valley. She was a great skier, always happy to take a chair with me, and thoughtfully gave endless car rides and food to so many of the kids from Bradford. Last chair.
— Drew Sanderson
Our most sincere condolences to Bob and family.
Such a beautiful person lost to all.
— Jim and Penny Eddy
So very sorry to hear of Duane''s passing. Such a lovely and helpful person who loved her sons so much. My fondest memory of Duane is the day she called TLC and asked if I could please tell Blake that "Bingo" had been to the vet and he was fine. She was always thinking of others.
— Regina VanScoy
Bob and family,
Sincere condolences from both Polly and myself. We are both saddened by your loss but at the same, are fortunate and thankful to have known Duane and engage in friendly conversation on occasion. May the Lords Blessings and Comfort be with all of you.
— Tony Varone
Bob and Family, please accept my sincere condolences on your unimaginable loss. May your wonderful memories sustain you in the days ahead. Duane was a lovely lady.
— Debbie Lowery
Bob and family: I am so saddened by the passing of your beautiful wife and mother. Duane was one of the sweetest, kindest and loveliest people I have ever known. God bless and keep you all.
— Kathy Paterniti
Bob and Family, please accept my sincere condolences on your unimaginable loss. May your wonderful memories sustain you in the days ahead. Duane was a lovely lady.
— Debbie Lowery
My thoughts and prayers to all of Duane’s family. I am so saddened by her passing. She was a beautiful person inside and out whose smile lit up a room. She will be forever young.
— Kathy Little
bout Duane''s passing. She was a remarkable person. Praying for you and your family.
— Serena Voss
Mr. Saunders, my condolences to you and your family. I was privileged to have a brief acquaintance with Duane during my time in the Pennhills Club office. She was always sweet and kind. Know that you are in my prayers.
— Melody Gatewood
Bob and family,
Duane was a beautiful woman, I enjoyed her company when ever we were able to get together! What a sad time for you ! Know that I am praying for your strength and the love of family to lean on !
She will be so missed!!!!
— Lynn Heckathorn
Bob and Family, so very sorry for your loss. Thoughts & Prayers.
— Carl Milks
So sorry for your loss Bob. We are all thinking of you and your family.
— Kevin Habberfield
With heartfelt sympathy.
— Bob & Laura Getz
Bob and family, How lucky we were to have Duane as a neighbor during our five years in Bradford. Her smile and gracious demeanor made every encounter special. We send our condolences at your loss. Carol and Larry Killian, Lebanon, PA
— Larry and Carol Killian
My deepest condolences to Duane''s family. She was absolutely one of the sweetest women that I have ever met. Never anything but kindness from her.
— brian vecellio
Bradford lost one of its kindest and most positive residents this week. Duane wore a smile and always had kind words when encountering others.
Bob,Ryan, and Blake you are in our thoughts and prayers.
— Kathy Durner
Bob,and family. Sally and I offer our prayers and condolences.
Brad and Sally Mangel
— Brad Mangel
Bob, Ryan, Blake and Louie, our hearts and prayers go out to you.
— Mary and Greg Sittig
Dear Bob, Ryan, Blake & family,
Duane was such a gentle soul, gracious, such a refined lady, always a kind word for others and her radiant smile. My heart aches...she loved life everyday. Sadly missed and always remembered for living in the moment. A true friend and long time neighbor.??
Terri & Bill Leven
— Terri Leven
Duane was a very kind woman. She was beautiful and special in so many ways. There are just no words to express my sorrow and condolences to her family.
Christie Morgan
— Helen Morgan
Duane was one of the sweetest , friendliest , and beautiful person, I have ever met.
My deepest sympathy to Bob, Ryan and Blake. May she rest in peace.
— Susan ( Goble) Everetts
Bob, Ryan and Blake, I am so sorry for your loss. What a great friend to me when I lived in bradford. My prayers for healing to all of you.
— Barb Marx
Duane was a beautiful women inside and outside. She always had a smile and friendly word to share. I’ll never forgot how she took care of us during the time spent under her watchful eye. She will be missed.
— Matt Pilon
Bob and family we are so sorry to hear of the passing of Duane she was such a lovely kind person
Our thoughts and prayers are with you
— Travis and darlene baugh