Obituary of Sandra Louise Danforth

Sandra Danforth passed away at her Denville home on Thursday, June 3d following a brief illness.

Ms. Danforth was born in New London, CT on October 22, 1935 to Dorothy Danforth Blackman and Frank Arlington Blackman.  She was a graduate of Central Connecticut State College with a bachelor’s degree in education, and of Columbia University with a master's degree.  A lifelong proponent of public education, Ms. Danforth was a teacher in Glen Rock, NJ, a principal in Morristown, NJ and in Lombard, Illinois, and was Superintendent of schools in Denville, NJ until her retirement in 1995.

Drawing profound fulfillment from volunteering, Ms. Danforth served on the Wheaton, Illinois Board of Education for three years, and on the DuPage County Special Services Board for two years. She also served on the Executive Board of the Morris County Area Girl Scouts and on the Executive Board of the South Palm Beach (FL) County League of Women Voters. After retirement, she  served for many years on the board of the Denville Public Library.

An avid reader, and ever the educator, she frequently clipped items from the New York Times and mailed them off to her beloved family and friends, as needed...
A woman of prodigious confidence and strong convictions, she was also a faithful and loving parent, sister, friend.

Ms. Danforth is survived by her two sons, Todd Masterman, Drew Masterman and his wife, Nan Cumming, a sister, Annalyne Burke and her children Matthew and Lizzie, and a brother, Douglas Danforth, her stepchildren Carolyn, Cathy, Linda, Jim, Mark, Michael, and Lisa, their many grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and by her friends and neighbors, Jamie and Joanne Whitehill and their children James and Michael, and her lifelong friend Veronica Lyons.

She was predeceased by her husband, Robert Masterman, and her two brothers, Earl Blackman and Horton Blackman.

A private memorial service will be held with Sandra's immediate family only.  Thank you for your continued support and prayers.

Donations in her memory may be made to the Denville Public Library, 121 Diamond Spring Road, Denville.