WILMINGTON — Mary Frances Foy Sanders, 97, of Scotts Hill, passed peacefully at Lower Cape Fear Hospice on Friday, November 15, 2024. Mary Frances was born at Poplar Grove Plantation in Scotts Hill, NC on March 29, 1927. She graduated from New Hanover High School in 1946, after which she attended Greensboro College.
She married the love of her life, Robert M. ‘Bob’ Sanders, Sr. in 1947. During Bob’s career they lived in several states, moving about every 3 years, before returning to Scotts Hill after his retirement. This probably led to her love for traveling. They took several cruises and traveled in Europe, and especially enjoyed their trips to England, traveling with friends.
She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She enjoyed gardening and genealogy research, and was meticulous in her documentation of family events. She stayed active in her church throughout her life participating in many committees, teaching Sunday School, and was still actively involved with Lydia Abbey circle and the Fall Bazaar until just recently. She was married to her husband, Bob for 67 years. They enjoyed camping, taking trips throughout the United States and Canada. They especially enjoyed the mountains, first camping, then building a cottage in Burnsville, NC, and instilled those interests in their children.
Mary Frances was the last from her generation, being preceded in death by her husband Robert M. Sanders, Sr. and her sisters Abbey Foy Brunjes Anger and Theresa Foy Hall and her brother Robert Lee Foy Jr. She is survived by her son, Robert M. Sanders, Jr. and his wife, Carol; daughter, Elizabeth F. Sanders; son, Henry B. Sanders and wife, Amy; her grandchildren, Patricia Thomas (Shane) of Canton, NC, Stephanie Zewatsky (Ryan) of Roanoke, VA, Morgan Johnston (Evan) of Winterville, NC; great-grandchildren, Rachel and Kiley Thomas, Marley, Beriah and Caroline Zewatsky, Callie and Ethan Johnston and numerous nieces and nephews.
There will be a memorial service at Wesleyan Chapel United Methodist Church on Wednesday November 27, 2024 at 1:00pm to celebrate Mary Frances’ life, followed by interment in the cemetery. Visitation and reception will follow.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Wesleyan Chapel UMC Cemetery Fund, 10255 US Highway 17 North, Wilmington, NC 28411 or to Lower Cape Fear LifeCare, 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401.
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