Sanford, Donna (nee Lohnes)

July 6, 1949 – January 8, 2019

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of our mother Donna Lynn Elizabeth Sanford on Tuesday, January 8th, 2019. Mom was born in Wawa, Ontario on July 6th, 1949 to her parents Theresa (Huck) and Gordon Lohnes.

Many may have known her as the independently successful owner/operator of Loeb in Nortown Plaza, Chatham and IGA grocery stores in Blenheim, Ridgetown, and Harrow.

Mom was the proud matriarch of her family which included Dane (Amy), Kassie (Tim), Ryan, Scott (Jodi), grandchildren Brendan (Amy), Spencer, Chloe, Michael, Amber, Molly, Keegan, Reilly and great-grandchildren Brian, Benjamin, Braxton, Cruz and Carter.

Many people considered our mom as their mom too. Always putting others first, sharing, helping, giving unconditional love to others, and saying “Howdy!” (a lot). She was definitely larger than life.

In keeping with mom’s wishes, her ashes will be placed beside her dad’s at Evergreen Cemetery in Blenheim. This part of her life will be respected with quiet dignity. Her family and close friends will celebrate her life at a later date.

Friends wishing to remember Donna with a memorial donation are asked to consider St. Michael’s Hospital Foundation, Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT) Center [Charitable Registration #122963663RR0001], in recognition of the exceptional research and discovery done by Dr. Marie Faughnan, Rose Pantalone and all their staff.