Eileen B. Sanford

Eileen Burns Sanford, loving wife, mother, community volunteer and grandmother died peacefully at home on June 13, surrounded by many members of her family. She was 93. She and her husband GM (Bill) Sanford were married for 65 years and had 6 children and 10 grandchildren. She is survived by her husband and her children Kathleen, Deborah, Peter, Christine, Amanda and Megan, their spouses, and her grandchildren Carter,Lydia, Rachel, Mac, Ashley, Sarah, Michael, Alexandra, Robert and Callie. Mrs. Sanford was born in Bad Axe, Michigan to the late Mary Jane and Peter Burns, the fifth of 10 children. Her brother Jerome Burns and his wife reside in Saginaw, Michigan. Her other siblings are deceased. She left Michigan after graduating from Siena Heights University and moved to Los Angeles in 1944, where she continued her studies at the University of Southern California while also working and acting in community theater.

She lived briefly in Bronxville and Scarsdale New York until moving to Riverside, Connecticut in 1952. She was a long time communicant and active volunteer at St. Catherine's church, where she was a member of the Guild, a volunteer receptionist at the rectory and also prepared annulments through the church for many years. She also volunteered with the Pro Christo Laborentes, rapping bandages for victims of Hansen's Disease until it was virtually eradicated. She led Cub Scout and Girl Scout Troops when her children were young. She volunteered at Neighbor to Neighbor at Christ Church for more than 20 years, and in 1998 she received honorable mention for outstanding volunteer service by the volunteer center of Southwestern Fairfield County. She was a creative person and published a beautiful book of poetry about her family in 1999. She loved going to the theater, bird watching, designing and sewing clothing and spending time with her family and friends. She will be deeply missed. There will be visiting hours at the Leo P. Gallagher & Son Funeral Home 31 Arch Street, Greenwich on Friday June 17, from 6 to 8 PM. A funeral mass will be held at St. Catherine of Siena Church in Riverside at 11AM on Saturday June 18. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Neighbor to Neighbor 248 East Putnam Avenue, Greenwich, CT 06830