Saundra Sue Domenech

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. – Saundra Sue Domenech, 78, died on Sept. 2, 2022, after a lengthy illness at home with her loved ones present. She was born Dec. 17, 1943, in Indianapolis, Indiana, the daughter of Wilbur Clifford Sanders and Vera May (Taylor) Godsey.

Saundra attended Indianapolis public schools and graduated from George Washington High School, class of 1963. Following graduation, she held different jobs in the city.

Saundra married Jerald Wayne Wilson in 1963 and had five children from that union. In 1978, she moved to California and settled in Desert Hot Springs. She worked at Desert Regional Medical Center in various positions and finally trained to be a film librarian in the radiology department. In 1989, she met the love of her life, TSG Alfred Domenech Sr., USAF (retired) of New Hampshire. After a three-year, long-distance romance, he retired from his newspaper job and married her in 1992, and they lived in Desert Hot Springs.

In 1994, Saundra transferred to the Comprehensive Cancer Center and retired on disability in 1998, but volunteered at the cancer center and Hanson House from 2002 to 2015, amassing 1,500 hours. She also volunteered for the U.S. Forest Service Fire Lookout for two years at Black Mountain, near Idyllwild, California. Saundra was a devout Catholic, serving as president of the Holy Altar Society at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church and in many functions of the church. In addition to her parents, Saundra was predeceased by a brother, Wilbur Clifford Sanders Jr.

Survivors include her husband, Alfred; her son, Jerald W. Wilson Jr. of Kaysville, Utah; four daughters, Sheila Lutzker of Cathedral City, California, Robin Hufferd (Brad) of Danville, Indiana, Penny Kaysen (Greg) of Plumas Lake, California, and Susan Miller (Eric) of Indio, California; four stepsons, Alfred Domenech Jr. (Mella) of Katonah, New York, Kevin Domenech (Kim) of Nashua, New Hampshire, Kenneth Domenech of Desert Hot Springs, and Keith Domenech (Shelley) of Amherst, New Hampshire; a stepdaughter, Elizabeth Yanco (Stephen) of the Villages, Florida; 20 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, nephews and nieces.

Visiting hours are on Thursday. Sept. 8, 2022, from 4-8 p.m. at Rose Mortuary, 66424 Pierson Blvd., Desert Hot Springs, with a celebration of life Mass on Friday, Sept. 9, 2022, at noon at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Roman Catholic Church, 66700 Pierson Blvd., Desert Hot Springs. Interment will follow at Desert Memorial Park Cemetery, 31705 Da Vall Drive, Cathedral City, California. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hanson House Foundation, 380E Paseo El Mirador, Palm Springs, CA, 92262.