Obituary of Virginia Wagner Saunders

Virginia (Terry) Wagner Saunders, 89, died suddenly on October 21, 2007 in Venice, Florida, of natural causes. Terry was born in Logan, West Virginia on June 10, 1918. She attended Bowling Green College in Kentucky, and moved to Charleston, West Virginia when she was in her twenties. She married Ernie Saunders in 1948 in Phoenix, Arizona, and except for a period from 1955 – 1960 when her family lived in Manchester, New Hampshire, she resided in Charleston until 1991 when she and Ernie decided to make Venice, Florida, their full-time residence. They originally lived in Bay Indies, and since 1999, Terry had been a resident of Sunset Lake Village (formerly known as Bon Secours Assisted Living). After a long career in West Virginia state government, Terry retired in 1980 from the position of comptroller of the Department of Mines. She previously worked for the Centennial commission and the Department of Commerce. She was preceded in death in 1996 by her husband, Ernie Saunders, a longtime veteran sportscaster, and by her nephew, Larry Sonis, in 2007. She is survived by twin daughters, Carolyn Saunders Pearce and husband, Clem, of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Marolyn Saunders McDonald and husband, John, of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. She also leaves behind twin grandsons, James and Robert McDonald of Calgary, and nieces Tina Sonis Holmes and Debby Sonis of Charleston. Terry was well-known for her skills in the game of bridge and was busy arranging bridge parties right up until her death. She was also easy to spot due to her outfits with matching knee socks. She was an active member of Christ United Methodist Church in Venice. Terry was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and aunt who will be deeply missed. She will be remembered for her quick wit, willingness to listen and zest for life. Please join us for a celebration of Terry’s life at Sunset Lake Village, 1121 Jacaranda Blvd. in Venice on Monday, November 19 at 10:00 a.m. Friends may make memorial contributions to Christ United Methodist Church, 1475 Center Road, Venice, Florida 34292.