Donna Lee Hendricks Sanford, born April 22, 1942, in Lakeport, California, passed away in her Idaho Falls home on Sunday, August 19, 2018. She leaves behind her husband of fifty-three years (Melvyn Lyle Sanford), five children (Ann Martha Sanford Washburn, Shawn Michael Sanford, Julie Kathleen Sanford Johnson, Holly Bryn Sanford Green, and David Mark Sanford), who all came together in love and service to help her as she faced her cancer.  She leaves sixteen grandchildren, to whom she gave many gifts, not the least her noble character. Preceding her in death were father, Roy Levi Hendricks, mother, Gladys Martha Benson Hendricks, and sister, Gladie Marilyn Hendricks Martin.

Donna spent her youth in Fort Bragg, California, where she attended grammar, junior high, and high school. Active in sports, music, and the California Scholarship Federation, she received a full scholarship to Santa Rosa Junior College but chose Brigham Young University instead, where she graduated with a degree in elementary education in 1965. She began teaching in Sandy, Utah.

The same year, on June 18 ^th she married Melvyn Sanford in the Oakland, California LDS temple.

In 1969 she moved with her young family to Rexburg, Idaho, where she taught kindergarten in her home. When Idaho passed an early education act, she was hired at Adam's Elementary School in Rexburg. For twenty-seven years she taught kindergarten and laid the educational foundation for many young lives. Music and dance, she affirmed, were keys to a rounded education. She was a gifted teacher and loving mother. A high soprano of surpassing beauty, she brightened our days with singing.  In the LDS church she served as a primary teacher, a music director, a Relief Society teacher, and a stake primary counselor. With her husband she retired to Idaho Falls in 2003.

Her character was her virtue. In life's storms she was a steadfast model of kindness, generosity, and charity. As usual with a great wife, she smoothed her husband's rough edges. Her motto, which she coined, was, "Whatever the question, love is the answer."

Her crown jewels are her children and grandchildren. She delighted in preparing all year for family Easter and Christmas celebrations, and she was (it can now be revealed) the real Santa Claus and Easter Bunny. She loved the earth, clouds, and all green, living things. A family memorial service will be held at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, August 23, 2018, at Coltrin Mortuary, 2100 First Street. Burial will be under an evergreen tree in the Iona Cemetery.  Written by her admiring husband.  Condolences may be sent to the family at www.coltrinmortuary.com .