Candace "Candy" Sanford

3/10/1948 - 1/15/2025

Stonington - It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Candace "Candy" Davis Sanford of Stonington, Jan. 15, 2025, at the age of 76. Candace was born March 10, 1948, in Willimantic, to loving parents, Edward Euvrard Davis and Dorothy Moore Davis. Ed and Deedee raised Candy in Stonington, and Westerly, R.I., and she attended the Borough School, Mary C. Wheeler and The Williams School, where she graduated salutatorian in 1966. She went on to study political science at Wheaton College, in Norton, Mass.

In 1967, Candy met the love of her life, Thomas Sanford, when his family was vacationing at their summer home in Quonochontaug, R.I. Tom and Candy went on to get married Aug. 22, 1970, shortly after Candy graduated from Wheaton. Initially, this beautiful couple lived in Manhattan, while Tom attended business school, and Candy worked as a teacher at the Rockefeller University Preschool. In 1973, Candy and Tom moved to Bronxville, N.Y., while Candy attended and graduated from Columbia Teachers College and then taught for two years at the Trinity School Kindergarten.

In 1975, Candy and Tom's first child, Thomas, was born, quickly followed by Evelyn in 1977. In 1979, the young family moved to London, England, and greeted their third child, Richard, in 1980. This stay across the pond extended for nine years, during which time Candy lovingly, and with infinite patience, raised her three children. In addition, she volunteered for the Junior League of London, tutored children with dyslexia, ran for the Serpentine Running Club, and was a devoted member of the American Church in London.

Candy, with her family, spent the years 1988 through 2001 again living in Bronxville, N.Y. During this time, she raised her children through their adolescent and teenage years, served for two years as secretary to the minister at the Reformed Church in Bronxville, and ten years teaching PreK, 4s and 5s at the Reformed Church Nursery School. She volunteered throughout this time for the Junior League and also led outreach programs for the youth of the Elmendorf Reformed Church of Harlem, N.Y. Ever committed to her church, Candy also taught Sunday School, and helped organize the Reformed Church Christmas Pageant for many years and was a member of the Bronxville Field Club.

In 2001, Candy and Tom retired to Stonington, where Candy enjoyed volunteer work and charitable giving, including board positions with the Stonington Village Improvement Association, the Mystic YMCA and the Calvary Episcopal Church of Stonington Vestry. She served as president of the Stonington Garden Club, Calvary Nursery School and her Wheaton College Class of 1970. She was a member of the Stonington Harbor Yacht Club and volunteered for the Stonington Historical Society as a docent and guide for walking tours. In 2022, Candy served as the grand marshal of the Stonington Borough July 4th Parade.

Ever active, Candy's hobbies throughout her life included gardening in Stonington Borough with the Stonington Garden Club and in her gardens in Quonochontaug, sailing, rowing, swimming, running, kayaking and skiing, practicing the piano, knitting, and playing hand bells with the Calvary Church Bell Choir. In 2007, she published her children's book, Captain Nathaniel Brown Palmer: a Maritime Pioneer (Flat Hammock Press).

Candy is survived by her adoring husband Thomas Sanford; her greatly blessed children, Thomas Sanford, Evelyn Fetridge and Richard Sanford; her three grandchildren, Guild Fetridge (14), Cecily Sanford (13) and Simon Sanford (12), and her two devoted siblings, Dorothy Singer and Charles Davis.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, at Calvary Episcopal Church in Stonington, and immediately followed by a Celebration of Life. The service will also be live-streamed from the Calvary Church website. Gifts honoring Candace may be made to the Stonington Garden Club or Save the Children.