A memorial service will be held Sunday, May 9, 2021, at 12:00 p.m. at Hayes Township Cemetery.
Janet Marie Sanders, 83, of Gaylord, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 20, 2021.
She was born the daughter of Alton and Margaret (McMillan) McNett on July 17, 1937.
She married the love of her life, Tommy Sanders, on October 6, 1956, and together they raised five children.
Janet was known for her infectious smile and zest for life. She was small but mighty. Most days she could be found at the Sportsplex where over the years, she walked more than thirteen thousand miles. Janet volunteered throughout the community wherever and whenever she could. She was everyone’s favorite lunch lady and a cheerleading coach at Gaylord Community Schools. Janet had a love for Heart Lake where she and Tommy operated Hearts Delight Motel. When Janet and Tommy were not operating the motel, they enjoyed traveling to Canada and the Caribbean. Janet loved to sew and bake and loved using good old maple syrup.
She was extremely dedicated to her family, friends, and church. Janet will be deeply missed by all in the community and beyond.
She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; stepmother, Jane, stepfather, Chuck; and sister, Joan Moran.
Janet is survived by her children, Charlie Sanders, Diana (Joe) Fernandez, Judy (Mike) Ford, Kenny (Kim) Sanders, and Scott (Heather) Sanders; 14 grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren, with one on the way.
A celebration of life will be held at Hayes Township Cemetery in May.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Michigan, 830 S. Otsego Ave., Gaylord, MI 49735, or to the First United Methodist Church, PO Box 617, Gaylord, MI 49734.
35 comments on “Janet Sanders”
Judy and family, what a wonderful lady. I always will have a special spot in my heart for her. Sending thoughts and prayers.
Karen C
Kenny, Scott, and all the family, sorry to hear about your mother. She was a great person and will be missed. Had many great talks with her at church. My prayers are
with you.
Love and prayers to all of you. Janet was exactly the person described above. So grateful to have known her.
Judy and family, so very sorry for your loss. I always enjoyed your mom at the sportsplex and the hockey games. Many prayers coming your way.
My mother, Betty Ann Toms Kelly, often told stories of shinnanigans on Heart Lake and Gaylord that involved Janet. My mom always held Janet in great esteem, as do I. My heartfelt sympathy to all of the Sanders. You truly had a great lady, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Janet will be missed
A beautiful lady who could brighten up a room with her sweet smile, laugh and personality. What a gem. Prayers for your family and all who knew her.
She was a lovely soul and always had that beautiful smile! Nice to all, what a wonderful example for us and she will be missed, for sure!
So sorry for your loss!
Tammy Seidell
We are so very sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time.
Mrs Sanders was such a sweet lady. You can tell the love she had, because her kids are some of the best people I know! Her smile is in each of them. My prayers for your family and many happy memories. ❤️❤️❤️
Janet was a very special person to me. So tender an caring. We considered her our adopted mother at school. Will miss her smile an hugs.
Scott and family,
So sorry to hear about your Mom she was truly a beautiful soul .. Holding you all close in prayer
Janet and Tom were the very best neighbors, always ready to lend a hand. I’ll look over at the log cabin on the lake and remember them both. My sympathy goes out to the entire family. Tom Wagar
My deepest sympathies to all of you. I loved working with your Mom at South Maple School. She was the ‘Bright Spot’ in that kitchen, for the kids and the staff. She was a very sweet woman ❤️
Our deepest sympathies go out to all of you! It is such a huge loss in your lives. She will remain close in your hearts and in the those who’s lives she touched. We were lucky to have had the opportunity to have met her and feel blessed in knowing and loving some of her beautiful family. We send our deepest condolences to all those who share in this loss. 💔🙏 Hugs! Barb and Gary
Deepest sympathy to the Sanders family. Janet was well liked by all the students and staff at Gaylord Middle School. She had a never ending smile for everyone. I can still smell the warm cinnamon buns from the school kitchen.
Janet Sanders was always part of my annual visit to Heart Lake with my family. She was warm, energetic and kind. As my sister mentioned, I loved our mom’s stories of their youth and adventures. Kind regards to you all.
Janet was kind and warm to all she encountered. A favorite of all, her genuine smile and sincere concern made every visit with her a positive one. She and Tommy raised a beautiful family together; she will be missed.
Judy and family – My deepest sympathy for the loss of Mom, Janet. She was always a breath of fresh air when she was around. I enjoyed running into her at the Sportsplex on early mornings. She will be greatly missed.
Janet, her joyous attitude, cookies, and the family’s maple syrup, will always be remembered, with happiness. May flights of angels sing her to her rest.
Janet and Tommy were a great couple. I will never forget taking messages from her to Tommy when she was still in High School, living on a farm. Janet and Tommy were a great couple. They enjoyed the outdoors and all the Maple syrup that they could make. Our sympathy to all of her great family. She is greatly missed. Bob Sanders
We have many wonderful memories of a truly loving and compassionate member of our school community. She will be greatly missed.
Very sorry to hear about Mrs. Sanders passing, I always enjoyed seeing her, she had that infectious smile that brought bright moments to all. She will be dearly missed.
Charlie, Judy,and Families,
Oh, how your mother touched every person she came upon. Thank you for sharing her with us. I will always have the kindest memories of your mom.
Sympathies to her family. She will be greatly missed. She was a good person and a great neighbor on Heart Lake.
Sending my deepest sympathy for the family! Janet was a lifelong friend of my mother, Joan. I will always remember her warm and friendly smile. I last saw her January 2020 at a memorial service for my uncle Charlie. She was a beautiful soul!
Sorry to see of Janet’s passing. When I first moved to Gaylord in 1970, Janet was one of the first friends I had. I bought a lot of maple syrup from her. She was a great lady,
We will definitely miss Janet’s infectious smile around Heart Lake! What a wonderful lady. Our sympathies to the family.
The Soma’s
Aww, so sorry Sanders Family, my sincere sympathy in the loss of your mom. She was a genuine soul, always enjoyed her company and talks.❤️
So sorry to read about this. Went to school with her and Tommy and would stop to see them from times at Heart Lake.
Many happy times shared with Janet and Tommy. My heart aches to know they are not with me. Rest in Peace dear ones, you deserve it.
Many happy times shared with Janet and Tommy. My heart aches to know they are not with me. Rest in Peace dear ones, you deserve it.
So sorry to hear of your loss. Your mom was such a kind person! She and your family are in our prayers.
Sincerely,
Jerry & Barbara Dixon Walker
Zach, Thomas, and Charley, We are so sorry for your loss. She will always hold a very dear spot in my heart. She was the best lunch lady and cheer coach I ever had the pleasure of meeting.
Hugs, Ginger Dushane and family
Aunt Janet was delightful, loving, and full of spunk, sweet lady. Aunt Janet and Uncle Tom, such a special couple. Such grand memories of staying in the cabins when we’d come north for an event. Very special family memories of Sanders. We pray the Lord comforts the family as you adjust to life without her presence. Love to the family.
I just saw this, so sorry for your families loss. She was always so nice and sweet, always remembered you and chatted for a few. She was friends with my grandma, Beth Hamlin, and they loved working at the school together. Hugs to the family.