Saundra Ann Wondaferow's Obituary
Saundra Ann Wondaferow, age, 71, born April 5, 1946 in San Francisco, California passed away peacefully on June 6, 2017 at her home in Oakland, California with her daughter, son, and husband of forty eight years at her side.
If our family could bestow sainthood, Saundra would be the first to be canonized.
When many are motivated by what’s best for them and getting themselves ahead, Saundra was motivated by what was best for others. That selflessness was present in every decision and action that she made.
As a child one could see that charity, love, caring, and humility were the foundation of her loving and selfless character; a character shown in acts of kindness.
Each time she let her little brother crawl in her bed at night (to be comforted from his fears of ghosts); when she walked her younger sisters and brother to school and the swim center; when she fixed their meals and broke up their skirmishes it was selfless.
Saundra attended San Francisco State where she met the love of her life, Mengesha Wondaferow. From the day they met, til the day Saundra drew her last breath, their love was a deep and unconditional love that most will never know.
If you asked her about her accomplishments she would immediately turn the discussion to Mengesha’s rich cultural heritage, what a wonderful, smart and generous person he is and how he too was a graduate of SF State. We never got tired of hearing about his great heritage and how great a husband, father and provider he is. In turn, Mengesha would brag about Saundra being smart, beautiful, a great cook, her great business acumen, and a woman with immaculate taste. He would tell all that she was a dedicated mother and wife. Most of all he appreciated her patience with him.
Saundra could have bragged about herself but that was not her character. She had a wonderful career working in the airline industry, hospital administration and running the family business, Hoy’s Sports (in San Francisco’s Haight Ashbury). Saundra chose brag about Mengesha, her daughter Yayne, her son Atikum, her father, and mother, and every one of her brother and sisters. Saundra bragged about Mengesha’s family including his siblings. We are reminded of a quote by Eric Hoffer, ” Humility is not renunciation of pride but the substitution of one pride for another.”
In the last months of her life her children, Yayne and Atikum assisted their father in caring for her every need. They speak of her advocacy for them throughout their lives. Some parents say, “whatever it takes to care for my children.” Saundra did not speak of it, she delivered with deeds.
Saundra has joined her parents Hoy and Velma Henderson, in the hereafter. She is survived by her husband of forty eight years, Mengesha Wondaferow.
Saundra is also survived by her two children, daughter Yayne-Abeba and son Atikum; her granddaughter Kya; her two brothers and four sisters as well as her many nieces and nephews.
She will be cremated and a memorial service will be held at 1 pm, July 1st 2017, at the Chapel of the Chimes – Chimes Chapel
What’s your fondest memory of Saundra?
What’s a lesson you learned from Saundra?
Share a story where Saundra's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Saundra you’ll never forget.
How did Saundra make you smile?