Caren "Pat" Sanner

In Loving Memory of Caren Patricia Sanner

February 18, 1942 – February 18, 2025

Known by many names, loved by all:
Myrtle, Myrtle the Turtle, Pat, Patty, Patricia, Mom, Grandma, Great-Grandma

Myrtle was love in its purest form—a kindness that embraced everyone she met. Whether you were family or a stranger, she loved you for you. She remembered the little things—your stories, your worries, your joys—and carried them as if they were her own. With a quick wit and a radiant smile, she made life lighter, laughter brighter, yet never hesitated to speak her truth, her honesty shining through every conversation.

She was the matriarch of our family—resilient, strong, and unafraid to face life’s challenges, never losing her ability to laugh or the warmth in her smile. She gave without hesitation, loved without condition, and ensured no one ever left hungry or without a heart full of warmth.

She found magic in the simplest moments—family, food, and delighting in nature’s wonders, like watching the birds. And if you were lucky, she might even point one out in more ways than one, always ready with a playful spirit that kept us all laughing. She had a gift for turning the ordinary into something special, transforming a simple cup of coffee and a casual conversation into a memory worth holding onto. Because of her, we continue to share laughter that brings us closer and find strength that carries us through each day.

Born on February 18, 1942, in Masontown, PA, she made Illinois her home in 1976. Called home on her birthday, exactly 83 years apart, her life came full circle—a testament to the completeness of her journey, filled with resilience, compassion, and the boundless love she poured into us all.

Preceded in death by her parents and siblings, she was the last to gain her wings. The baby of the family—the best was truly saved for last.

She is survived by her children: Chris (Pat), Bob, Keith, Tammy (Bill), and Mike (Linda). Her legacy continues through her grandchildren: Ray, Alisha, Rob, Keith, Rachel, Kevin, Jason, Travis, Autumn, Jake, and Mark, and her great-grandchildren: Damon, Shea, Leah, Brixton, Dallen, and Jackson.

She also leaves behind many beloved nieces, nephews, and grand-pets, all lucky to have been loved by her.

Myrtle was a force—one that can never be replaced, only remembered, cherished, and honored. To know her was to love her, and to be loved by her was to feel truly at home.