Theresa Mary Sanders, 83, of Huntsville, passed away Monday. Mrs. Sanders was born on July 14, 1934 to Mary and James Murphy in New York City, N.Y., the fourth of six children. She lived in the Bronx and attended Catholic elementary and high schools. After attending secretarial school, Theresa went to work for the FBI in New York City. It is there that she met her Southern Gentleman and husband of almost 63 years, Robert “Bob” Sanders. Their first date was to an FBI Valentine’s Day dance and after a whirlwind romance, they were married the following November. Theresa and Bob moved to Huntsville in 1955, just before the birth of their first child. Theresa had never left the New York City area prior to moving to Huntsville, which is Bob’s hometown.
Theresa worked as a secretary for Rocket Dyne Corporation on Redstone Arsenal, in retail for Pizitz and McRae’s department stores, and as a substitute teacher at Holy Spirit School. She was an avid bridge card player and she loved to solve crossword puzzles. Theresa was very proud of her Irish heritage.
Theresa was predeceased by her parents, Mary and James Murphy, her sisters, Eileen Doyle and Peggy Murphy, her brother, Michael James Murphy, and her daughter, Julie Sanders Goodman.
Theresa is survived by her husband, Bob Sanders; son, John Sanders (Diana); daughter, Regina McDaniel (Ken); son-in-law, Sparky Goodman; grandsons, Michael McDaniel (Leslie) Danny Goodman, Zach Sanders and Nick Sanders; granddaughter, Caley Fowler (Jonathan); three great-grandchildren; sister, Ann Bogart of New York City; and brother, Patrick Murphy (Kathy) of Olathe, KS.
A funeral mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Monday, September 18, 2017 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Visitation will precede the mass from 9 to 10 a.m. at the church. Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery.
