Eliot-Rhea I. Sanborn, 71, of Eliot, died on Friday, January 26, 2018, with her family by her side. A Celebration of Life in her honor is planned at The Regatta at 28 Levesque Drive, Eliot, ME 03903 on Saturday, March 3, 2018 to begin at 4:00 PM.
Born December 29, 1946 in Wheeling, West Virginia to Bonnie M. (Boone) Wolodkin together with Edward Wolodkin, raised by Edward and Dorothy (Severeid) Wolodkin, she graduated from Triadelphia High School in 1964. After several months caring for (Boone) maternal siblings Karen, Mark and Olivia, she left to Kittery, Maine to join her eldest sister Brenda (Wolodkin) Ritner where she assisted with the care of her nieces Kelly and Suzanne. Brenda introduced her to Stephen Sanborn, and the couple dated briefly before he was drafted to Vietnam.
After Stephen's return the couple married in a civil ceremony on February 15, 1969 and purchased their first house on Cass Street in Portsmouth, N.H. In the years following she worked, completed some collegiate coursework and a certification in real estate sales, and along with Stephen, purchased, renovated and managed properties along the New Hampshire seacoast. She started a family in 1978 with her son Daniel, followed soon after in 1981 by the birth of Michael. The new family made homes along the seacoast before settling in Eliot, Maine where the couple began work on a new house.
With Stephen she established partnership in Ford Financial Services, Inc. and eventually earned an insurance license and served as Vice President. She worked in the insurance business for over thirty years, helping launch new companies and serving in various corporate roles, enjoying success operating some of the top producing agencies in the country.
Illness struck in 2005 in the form of advanced-stage ovarian cancer, thrusting her into an unusual heroic role. She applied her methodical work style and resilient spirit fighting the progression of the disease for over 12 years, and in the process won the respect of medical staff and other patients of cancer as a coach and mentor. She was an active participant in support events and networks such as the woman's cancer support group at Portsmouth Regional Hospital, the Stowe Weekend of Hope, and Turning The Tide.
As an avid reader, she principally enjoyed fictional works. A warm and generous host, she was proud of a meticulously kept home that she readily extended to family and friends. She loved travel, and over the course of her lifetime she managed to visit four continents, including numerous exotic locales throughout China, England, France, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Morocco, Scotland, Spain and beyond.
Rhea was predeceased by her beloved husband of 48 years, Stephen Wayne Sanborn. She is survived by sons Michael and Daniel Sanborn, siblings Brenda (Wolodkin) Caveney of Vero Beach, FL, Donnah (Wolodkin) Whitaker and spouse Bill of Concord, OH, Edward Wolodkin of Moundsville, W.V., and many nieces, nephews and extended family members.
She will be remembered for her generous, hardworking, humble, loyal and resilient nature - a devoted wife and mother. We love you and miss you, and we're proud of you too Mom.