Patricia “Patty” Saunders

CRYSTAL RIVER, Fla. – Patricia “Patty” (Kelley) Saunders, 75, passed away peacefully at her home in Crystal River, Fla. in the early morning hours of March 19, 2025, following a brief struggle with metastatic breast cancer. In her final months, it was both a joy and a blessing for her sons, grandchildren, and siblings to surround and provide hands-on care for her, in what may have been the most meaningful and prayerful experience of their lives.

Patty was born to Richard and Alice (Blackburn) Kelley on Dec. 29, 1949, in Portland, Maine, the 4th of 8 children. She raised her family in Windham on Sebago Lake and was beloved by her family and many lifelong friends.

Festive holiday celebrations and decorations were a large source of joy for her throughout her life. For decades, the Saunders/Kelley clan gathered for bountiful feasts at Patty’s home. Her welcoming heart was always open to the ‘widows and orphans’ among us, and the Saunders’ home often felt like a Bed & Breakfast to friends from far and wide. She was an administrative assistant at St. Joseph’s College of Windham, Maine and at Spurwink (a non-profit special education school) in Casco, Maine. Much of her life was spent volunteering with various social and religious organizations.

She spent a year living abroad in Harrogate, England with her family and made many wonderful friends and memories, including family time traveling in a Narrowboat on England’s rivers and canals as well as a trip across the Channel to France and Germany. She loved to read and listen to Christian music. As time went on she developed a joy in gardening.

More than two years ago, she moved to warm Crystal River, Fla. near one of her sisters; where she became an active member of the Meadowcrest community, and her love of manatees grew by the day through her volunteer work. She found joy in the beautiful relationships she created.

Patty’s passing is sadly mourned by all her loving family and friends.

Patty was predeceased by her parents, her sister Margaret (Kelley) Pizzo, and brother Joseph Kelley. Patty is survived by three loving sons Paul Saunders of Harpswell, Joshua (and wife Kristen) Saunders of Otisfield, and Michael Saunders of Windham; four beautiful grandchildren, McKenzie Saunders of Leicester, Mass., Gabriel Saunders of Olney, Md., and Ruby and Emberlynn Saunders of Windham; siblings Carol (Kelley) Westmoreland, Richard (and wife Sharon) Kelley, Edward (and wife Karen) Kelley, Michael (and wife Laurie) Kelley, Elizabeth “Buffy” (and husband Don) DeMatteis, sister-in-law Alice (Tanous) Kelley; and many adoring nieces and nephews.

A small gathering was held in Crystal River for her neighborhood friends. There will be a graveside service at the Kelley Family plot at Calvary Cemetery in So. Portland, Maine on July 18 at 11:00 a.m., with a Celebration of Patty’s life following.