Elizabeth “Betty” J. Sander, 103, died peacefully at her home in Plymouth on December 14, 2025, after a brief illness.
Born on September 22, 1922, to Lewis Conrad Covell of Wareham and Bernice Lydia Covell (McKeil) of Natick, Elizabeth was a proud lifelong resident of Plymouth.
She married John R. Sander of Easthampton, Massachusetts, on September 1, 1945. She was predeceased by her husband, John, and by her three children, Karen Knowlton, Keith Sander, and Kristen Sander.
She is survived by five grandchildren: Denise Knowlton; Dana Knowlton; Donald Knowlton and his partner, Jennifer; Robert Sander and his wife, Jennifer; and Craig Sander and his wife, Anna. She is also survived by two great-grandchildren, Oskar and Otto Sander.
Elizabeth held several jobs over the years, beginning as a shopgirl at Buttner’s downtown and later serving for many years as a clerk in both the Town of Plymouth’s sewer and cemetery departments. However, the work she loved most came after her retirement.
Betty generously volunteered her time and energy with numerous local institutions, including Pilgrim Hall Museum, the Plymouth Antiquarian Society, Plimoth Patuxet Museums, and the Mayflower Society library. In 2017, she was honored as Plimoth Patuxet’s Volunteer of the Year. She cherished this work and the many friendships she formed over more than 30 years of service.
Outside of her volunteer commitments, Betty was active with her senior group, arranging and planning sightseeing trips up and down the East Coast. Her favorite destination was the Newport Playhouse Cabaret, which she attended annually for as long as she was able. According to her, they had the best shows—and the best Brandy Alexander.
She had a deep and abiding love of history, particularly as it related to her Mayflower forebears and the town of Plymouth. A keeper of artifacts and stories, she was eager to share them and taught her grandchildren and great-grandchildren the importance of preserving the stories of those who came before us.
She was a light-bearer in the truest sense. She lived steadfastly and gracefully in the face of challenges. She served her community with pride and purpose. Most importantly, she sought and savored every ounce of joy that life had to offer.
She will be missed, but the light she tended will endure.
No public services are planned. A celebration of life will be held in the spring, with date and location to be announced. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Inc., 1016 W. Jackson Blvd., #1073, Chicago, Illinois 60607.