Joan Sylvia Sanders

Joan S. Sanders, age 73, of Crystal Lake, passed away suddenly on November 18, 2017, while holding hands with her two beloved children.

Joan will be remembered for her unwavering love for her children, grandchildren, family and friends.  She is survived by her twin children, Beth (Ken) Godfrey and Bill (Amy) Sanders; grandchildren, Brennan, Kailey, Lauren, Griffin, Tyler and Avery; siblings, Shirley (late Leonard) Daubner and Robert (Charlene) Southon; and many nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents, brother, Alfred Southon, and her nephew, Daniel Southon.

Joan was born on February 21, 1944, in Elmhurst, IL, to parents Alfred and Sylvia (Pojman) Southon. She graduated from York High School with the class of 1962 and from the University of Illinois – Urbana/Champaign in 1966.  Joan was fortunate to have had kept in close touch with many of her childhood and college friends.

On April 20, 2002, Joan professed to become a Third Order Franciscan.  She held herself to living the Franciscan life and it brought her great joy and blessings.  She held many positions in her fraternity, including Minister and Formation Director.  She excelled at being the current Formation Director.  She very often said that she had found her gift and increased spirituality in that ministry.  For many years, Joan dedicated herself to being co-director of St Thomas Outreach Ministry.  She enjoyed interacting with the clients and spent many hours behind the scene making sure that Outreach ran smoothly.  She was also an active member of St Jude’s Guild, Monday morning bible study, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, weekly adorer at Eucharistic Adoration and a Eucharistic Minister for Sunrise Nursing Home.

The visitation will be held Thursday, November 30 from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the Franciscan Wake Service beginning at 12 Noon at Davenport Family Funeral Home and Crematory, 419 E Terra Cotta Ave (Rte. 176) Crystal Lake. Procession will follow to St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 451 W Terra Cotta Ave for the funeral Mass at 1:00 p.m. A luncheon will be held immediately following the Mass at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Secular Franciscan Fraternity or the St. Thomas Outreach.