Saundra Louise Ames, age 76, passed peacefully to be with her Lord on March 23, 2024 at the Sarasota Memorial Hospital where she worked for 25 years. Many nurses, doctors, family and friends brightened her last days and she was overwhelmed knowing the impact she made on so many people and the legacy she would leave behind in her anesthesia skills. She was strong in faith and knew she was traveling to a better place. Saundra was born July 6, 1947 in Xenia, Ohio to Fred and Marjorie Ames. She graduated from Wilmington High School but attended many alumni events for Kingman High. She went on to study nursing at St. Petersburg Junior College. After the passing of her brother, she felt a calling to study anesthesia and received her CRNA at Cincinnati, Ohio. After graduating, she moved permanently to Arcadia, Florida to join her family. She worked many years in the labor and delivery department at Wauchula, Arcadia, then in Sarasota she retired after 25 years. She was known for her expertise in giving epidurals. When doctors and nurses request her epidurals, that says something about her talent!

If Saundra wasn't working, she poured herself into the Trinity Church activities. From leading the women's group, chair of administration council, to hosting women's tea at her home. Saundra was well known for her delicious meals for Divine Dining. Her planning and organizing skills will be missed by many in her church family. After retirement, Saundra enjoyed traveling and enjoyed sharing her experiences. From cruising down the Mississippi River, to Paris, Russia, Italy, Spain, and her favorite being Vietnam. But I truly believe she enjoyed coming home to Ohio and visiting family and friends for the summer was her actual favorite of all. She was in her element caring for new babies, cooking, and baking cookies. She has influenced many children that called her "aunt Saundra". Having Ben Cline with her at the hospital and sharing his children, Gracie and Parker's pictures, calls from Joel and Ryan Maassen, out of the country, and facetime with Hannah Lacy (Geyer) and Heath Geyer and their family truly brightened her spirits. Saundra was preceded in death by her father Fred J. Ames, her mother Marjorie Alice Stanfield Ames, and her brother Jerome Lester Ames.

Living relatives include a nephew Jason Ames Beardsley and wife Cheryl, Joshua Beardsley and wife Tiffany. Great nieces and nephews Jakob, Amarissa, Lillian and Elizabeth Beardsley. Various cousins on both the Ames and Stanfield side and so many special people in her life like Kim and Ben Cline and family. Numerous children will be carrying on her chocolate cookie legacy and crafty skills, thanks to Aunt Saundra. She was a special person, strong in faith, and enjoyed life. You might say she had a hallmark ending, a happy ending where she was loved by all.

A celebration of life will be held at The Trinity Methodist Church on April 13, 2024 at 10:00am in Arcadia, Florida. An enormous meal will be held after as she loved to cook.

A celebration of life will also be held at the end of June at the Ames Pond in Ohio as she loved attending with her family and friends. All are welcome!

Online condolences may be made at: www.pongerkaysgrady.com

Ponger-Kays-Grady Funeral Homes & Cremation Services have been entrusted with the arrangements.