Catherine R. (Ruble) Sanford

Catherine R. Sanford, “Cay” “Caytie” “Grammy” and “Friend” to many, passed unexpectedly on Wednesday March 20th, her mother’s birthday, at the age of 84. 

Cay was born on December 20, 1939 to William A. and Mary E. Ruble and raised with her sister Mary Jane (Ruble) Weigle in Lansing, MI. Some of her fondest childhood memories are of her summers in Charlotte, MI with her Grandmother Carr and Carr Cousins. She then attended Albion College, met & married Richard B. Sanford on December 21, 1963 in Lansing, MI.

She moved her family to Kalamazoo, MI in 1967. She was involved in the community through the Symphony & Junior League, where she developed many lifelong friends. A successful entrepreneur, she, alongside her husband, Dick, created the IBA Health and Life Assurance Company and Sanford Insurance Group, which spanned over 30 years. Throughout those years and beyond, she was blessed to call many colleagues and associates friends!

Beyond her professional achievements, her “Gift of the Gab” endeared her to all who knew her. Anywhere Cay went, a friend was made. To her girls, she imparted her wisdom of proper etiquette and the enjoyment of life’s finer things. Cay was never seen without her hair done, nails manicured, and lipstick applied!

Cay and Dick were each other’s very best friends which has been their advice for lifelong happiness to their entire family. She was the biggest cheerleader for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her dedicated and loyal husband of 60 years, Richard B. Sanford, her four daughters Kathleen (Scott) Hilbert, Robbin (Matthew) Isbell, Tamara (Gary) Cook, Elizabeth (David) Quinn. Her grandchildren, Carson Hilbert Ederle, Andrew (Jayna) Hilbert, Peter (Stephanie Wesson) Isbell, Molly (Lance) Stoker, Aimee Cook Sutherland, Joshua (Megan) Cook, Kendall Quinn,  Chloe Quinn and 12 great grandchildren.  As well as, her nieces and nephew (Bill, Betsy, & Mary Weigle), great-nieces and nephews, a great-great nephew and her sister-cousin’s, Mary Catherine (Michael) Guglielmo and Barbara (Les) Overway.

The family will celebrate Cay’s remarkable life at one of her most cherished places, the shore of her Mullett Lake home in the coming months, date and time are yet to be determined.

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