Vicki Leigh Sanders

Vicki Leigh Sanders, 71, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, died on Dec. 13, 2019, after a long illness.  Among Vicki's remaining family members and close friends are her son David Ryan Sanders (Tee), sisters Beth and Wendy, brother Curt, foster daughter Kathleen and granddaughter Allie, members of her step-family, and friend Ellen Smith.  She also leaves many other friends from the various stages of her life, too many to mention. She was a critical care nurse for more than 20 years. She graduated from Heidelberg College in Ohio, having spent her junior year at Heidelberg University in Germany.  It was there that she learned from U.S. soldiers at the nearby army base about the nature of the war in Vietnam, and became an activist for peace and political change for the rest of her life. After graduating, she worked in publishing in New York for awhile, later moving to Madison and Chicago, where she was a pivotal organizer for the Committee Against Racism.  She earned her RN degree from Ravenswood Hospital School of Nursing and began the career she loved as a nurse at Cook County Hospital. At that time she was also able to adopt her son, who was the greatest joy of her life. She returned to Grand Rapids and worked at Blodgett Hospital for many years, giving her utmost in service to her patients. Vicki was a bigger-than-life spirit, known for her ability to see the humor in the worst situations, and generous to a fault.  She loved mentoring new nurses, even when lying in a hospital bed herself, and in her final hours was still joking with her family members and the staff. She will be greatly missed by those who loved her. A memorial gathering is being planned for sometime next summer. To contact the family, email drsanders1983@gmail.com.  In lieu of flowers, contributions toward expenses may be sent to David Sanders at 8363 Cook St., #24, Montague, MI, 49437.