Delores Ann Danielson Sonandres

Sonandres "Dee Dee" Delores Ann Danielson Sonandres, "Dee Dee," died Saturday, October 22, 2011, at the Holy Cross Care Home, Glendale, AZ. She was born in Burlington, Iowa on September 17, 1919, the daughter of Arthur Leroy Danielson and Bessie Bonar, and sister of Wendell, Frances, Daryl, and Wayne. After attending Burlington High School, she married William Joseph Sonandres (deceased) in 1940. Delores received her BA from Eastern Michigan University in 1961 (Ypsilanti), and earned graduate hours at more than a half-dozen other schools in the United States and Spain. Her teaching career spanned 25 years, mainly at the elementary level including bilingual education but also high school and college Spanish. Her substantial volunteer hours included The Boswell Hospital Child Care Center and the main library in Sun City, and the Heard Archeological Museum, Phoenix. Among her Loves; piano playing, classical music, painting, editing, family, friends, books, children, wit and humor, caring and service. Her secrets of life included "Passion for Life, Dreams, Compassion for Others' Welfare, Projects of Good Will, and Faith in an Angel Always By Your Side." Dee Dee was "mom" to the many children and others lucky enough to be in her presence of grace, kindness and pure lovingness that illuminated our lives. She is survived by her brother, Wayne of Austin, her brother Daryl's wife Susan Danielson of River Ridge, La.; her sister, Frances' son Roger Johnson of Bartlesville, Okla., and their families; and her two sons, Thomas and Richard Sonandres. She asked for no memorial service or flowers and that part of her estate go to a scholarship fund. For more information, contact Tom, 9742 N. 105th Drive, Sun City, AZ 85351. You will always be in our hearts, Mom.