Obituary
Dr. Mitchell K. Sanders, 83, passed away on Feb. 12 after a long and courageous battle with Parkinson's Disease and Lewy body dementia.
Mitchell ("Mitch") grew up in Rogers Park and later Wilmette. He always cherished his years at Sullivan High School and his city roots. He studied biology at the University of Illinois and later worked for Merck pharmaceutical company. He found his calling at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, TN, where he graduated in 1974 with a specialty in obstetrics and gynecology and later built his own practice. He served patients at Nashville General Hospital and the Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Mitch loved bringing new life into the world and was adored by his patients for his sensitivity and compassion.
Mitch also loved any activity involving nature or water, whether it was snorkeling in a coral reef or taking a walk in the park. While dedicating his life to helping others, Mitch faced a series of health struggles. He later returned to the Chicago area to be closer to family and friends.
Mitch was preceded in his death by the parents he adored, Lew and Martha (Oberman) Sanders. He is survived by his longtime and loving partner, Karen Cacioppo, his brother Robert (Sharon) Sanders and sister, Frannie Sanders, his niece Lisa (Chris) Kennedy, his nephews Scott (Priscilla) Sanders and David Sanders, and cousins Marcia Selz (Eduardo Subelman), Judith (Ronald) Fischer, Bruce Greyson and Richard Greyson (Ellen Goren), and many loyal and longtime friends.
We are forever grateful to Nurse Judy and the caring staff at Radford Green who looked out for Mitch for many years, and to Accord Hospice and Jenny, Mitch's longtime hospice nurse. You always made Mitch's comfort and dignity a priority, and your ongoing compassion and support to our family throughout this difficult journey will never be forgotten.
Contributions may be made in Mitch's memory to The Nature Conservancy, nature.org or The Michael J. Fox Foundation, michaeljfox.org.
Memorial service, Tuesday, 2:30 PM at Shalom Memorial Funeral Home, 1700 W. Rand Road, Arlington Heights. Interment Shalom Memorial Park. For shiva information or to leave condolences: Shalom Memorial Funeral Home, www.shalommemroial.org or (847) 255-3520.