Lillian Rita Sanders

Lillian was born in Massachusetts. She is the widow of Edwin H. (Sandy) Sanders who died in 1966. She grew up and attended schools in Palmer, Mass. Her proudest life experience was serving in the Navy WAVES in WWII at Naval Air Station, Miami, Florida. She first worked as plane captain then later in the Engineering office. There she was in charge of the log books and keeping records of plane's flight times to schedule periodic safety checks on engines. After discharge, she attended Bay Path Junior College in Longmeadow, MA and then Springfield College. She married Sandy, her life's love, in 1953. She drove a school bus for 7 years, averaging 100 miles daily in rural areas to pick up children and get them to and from school. In the early 60s, she and Sandy moved to San Diego and she worked for Land Title Insurance Company of San Diego as a PBX operator while she attended San Diego State College. In 1962 she earned her teaching credential from what is now SDSU. She began her teaching career at the Grossmont Union High School District in September of 1962 and was the first and only female behind-the-wheel "Driver Training" teacher in San Diego County and one of only three in the entire state. She retired from Grossmont in June, 1985 after 23 years of service. Before her husband's sudden death, they were very active square dancers and danced on a weekly Country Western TV show in Massachusetts. After being widowed, she joined the Bachelors and Bachelorettes Square Dance Club and continued being active for years. In her later years, she moved to Lakeside, CA where she enjoyed the RV lifestyle through her trusty truck and 5th wheel trailer and her Thousand Trails membership. Her travels covered 48 states and her only regret was not getting to Alaska and Hawaii. It wasn't until her mid 80s that she gave up the RV life and moved into an apartment. She lived up to her nickname of Tiger Lil and remained active and feisty well into her 90s. When her health started to deteriorate, she was comforted to live in the Veterans Home in Los Angeles until she died. Being surrounded by her fellow veterans reminded her that she was truly a member of the greatest generation. She passed from this world on October 16th at the age of 95 after a very full life. She was loved and will not be forgotten. This obituary was mostly written by Lil herself, and is signed with this....With thanks and lots of LOVE! - Ol' Aunt Lil

Lillian Rita Sanders

December 19, 1924 - October 16, 2020