Susan Sanford, Civic Leader and Benefactor, Dies at 77
Susan Sanford, líder cívica y benefactora, muere a los 77 años
MEMPHIS, TN (The Daily Memphian) — Susan H. Sanford, whose passionate civic spirit, business savvy, and tireless advocacy benefited a wide range of nonprofit organizations, died Monday evening after a brief illness. She was 77.
In her most prominent public role, Sanford was president and CEO of the Mid-South Food Bank from 1991-2010. During her tenure, the food bank doubled its distribution and expanded to serve 31 counties in Tennessee, Mississippi and Arkansas.
“The food bank stands today as one of the most recognizable nonprofits in the Mid-South because of Susan’s vision, leadership, her compassion and commitment,” said Estella Mayhue-Greer, who followed Sanford as food bank president and CEO.
Before joining the food bank, Sanford was development director for the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art from 1986-1991. She helped to secure funding for the museum’s $2.5 million expansion and renovation.
“I feel like I went from feeding the soul to feeding the body,” she told the Memphis Daily News in 2006.
Sanford and the food bank became founding members of the Safety Net Collaborative, which includes the American Red Cross, Catholic Charities Inc., Christ Community Health Services, Church Health Center, Memphis Union Mission, MIFA and The Salvation Army.
Over the years, Sanford also served as president of the Memphis Arts Council and the Memphis Rotary Club, and chair of United Way of the Mid-South. She helped to establish the YWCA’s Family Shelter for women and children. In 2008, she won a regional Emmy Award for community service along with producer John Koski and WHBQ-TV.
Susan Haspel Sanford was born Nov. 14, 1944, and was the eldest of two children of Sam and Geraldine Haspel. Her father was president of Temple Israel, and the person she said she most admired.
In 2009, Sanford was among the first six women to receive a Legends Award from the Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis. Others were Happy Jones, Minerva Johnican, Maxine Smith, Jeanne Varnell and Jane Walters.
Family and friends described Sanford as a kind, creative and tireless advocate for justice, equality, and community.
Sanford, a 1962 graduate of East High School, majored in history at the University of Wisconsin, and worked for Rand McNally and Illinois Bell before returning to Memphis.
Sanford is survived by her husband of 15 years, Billy Reed; her daughters, Julie and Jill, and two granddaughters; two stepchildren, Virginia and Leighton, and two step-grandsons; her mother, Geraldine Haspel; her brother, Randy Haspel, and her former husband, Jeff Sanford.
Private services were held Thursday. A memorial service is planned. The family requests that donations be made to the Mid-South Food Bank.
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MEMPHIS, TN (LPL/The Daily Memphian) — Susan H. Sanford, cuyo apasionado espíritu cívico, conocimiento empresarial y defensa incansable benefició a una amplia gama de organizaciones sin fines de lucro, murió el lunes por la noche después de una breve enfermedad. Ella tenía 77 años.
En su papel público más destacado, Sanford fue presidenta y directora ejecutiva del Mid-South Food Bank de 1991 a 2010. Durante su mandato, el banco de alimentos duplicó su distribución y se expandió para atender a 31 condados en Tennessee, Mississippi y Arkansas.
“El banco de alimentos se erige hoy como una de las organizaciones sin fines de lucro más reconocidas en el Medio Sur debido a la visión, el liderazgo, la compasión y el compromiso de Susan”, dijo Estella Mayhue-Greer, quien sucedió a Sanford como presidenta y directora ejecutiva del banco de alimentos.
Antes de unirse al banco de alimentos, Sanford fue director de desarrollo del Museo de Arte de Memphis Brooks de 1986 a 1991. Ayudó a obtener fondos para la expansión y renovación del museo por $2.5 millones.
“Siento que pasé de alimentar el alma a alimentar el cuerpo”, dijo al Memphis Daily News en 2006.
Sanford y el banco de alimentos se convirtieron en miembros fundadores de Safety Net Collaborative, que incluye a la Cruz Roja Estadounidense, Catholic Charities Inc., Christ Community Health Services, Church Health Center, Memphis Union Mission, MIFA y The Salvation Army.
A lo largo de los años, Sanford también se desempeñó como presidente del Consejo de Artes de Memphis y del Club Rotario de Memphis, y presidente de United Way of the Mid-South. Ayudó a establecer el Albergue Familiar de la YWCA para mujeres y niños. En 2008, ganó un premio Emmy regional por servicio comunitario junto con el productor John Koski y WHBQ-TV.
Susan Haspel Sanford nació el 14 de noviembre de 1944 y era la mayor de los dos hijos de Sam y Geraldine Haspel. Su padre era presidente del Templo de Israel y la persona que ella decía que más admiraba.
En 2009, Sanford estuvo entre las primeras seis mujeres en recibir un premio Legends Award de la Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis. Otros fueron Happy Jones, Minerva Johnican, Maxine Smith, Jeanne Varnell y Jane Walters.
La familia y los amigos describieron a Sanford como un defensor amable, creativo e incansable de la justicia, la igualdad y la comunidad.
Sanford, graduado en 1962 de East High School, se especializó en historia en la Universidad de Wisconsin y trabajó para Rand McNally e Illinois Bell antes de regresar a Memphis.
A Sanford le sobreviven su esposo durante 15 años, Billy Reed; sus hijas, Julie y Jill, y dos nietas; dos hijastros, Virginia y Leighton, y dos nietos; su madre, Geraldine Haspel; su hermano, Randy Haspel, y su ex esposo, Jeff Sanford.
Los servicios privados se llevaron a cabo el jueves. Se planea un servicio conmemorativo. La familia solicita que se hagan donaciones al Mid-South Food Bank.
Photo: The Daily Memphian
