The Rev. Sandra Forrester Dufresne, 68, died Friday, Aug. 8, 2014, at Delaware Hospice Center, Milford.
She was the daughter of the late V.T. and Gertrude Forrester.
The Rev. Dufresne graduated from Duke University in 1967 and graduated from Yale Divinity School in 1970. She was ordained as a United Methodist Minister. The Rev. Dufresne served as district superintendent in the Lebanon and Reading, Pa. areas. She served in churches in Pennsylvania, Connecticut and New Jersey.
The Rev. Dufresne was able to travel to many places including Israel, Egypt, Turkey, Jordan, Greece, Mexico, China, France, Japan, Thailand, Ireland and England for church conferences. At one time, she was also a missionary in Peru. The Rev. Dufresne was still active in the Methodist church after her retirement.
The Rev. Dufresne was a lifelong learner who also taught religious studies at Albright and Moravian colleges. She was an avid reader who especially enjoyed eccentric detective novels and was active in book clubs. She loved the beach, was a great amateur photographer who took thousands of photos of her family, and loved listening to organ music.
As a mother, the Rev. Dufresne was unbelievably strong, very loving, and so supportive of her daughters. She always put her children first, and wanted to make everything perfect for them. She was an excellent cook who made beautiful meals. She fed everyone, even stray cats. She also made beautiful dresses for the girls as they were growing up. The Rev. Dufresne had a generous heart, and accepted everyone without trying to mold you in any way. She was so proud of her daughters and deeply loved her grandchildren. She will be missed by all who knew her.
She is survived by daughters Rachel Jones of Philadelphia, Pa. and Aimee Reeder of Oakland, Calif.; a sister: Sharon Thompson of Johnston City, Tenn.; and two grandchildren: Jackson Jones and Ruby Reeder
Donations in lieu of flowers can be sent to: Abramson Cancer Center, Penn Medicine Development, attn. Dr. Susan Domck research team, 3535 Market St., Suite 750, Philadelphia, PA 19104. Please make checks payable to Trustees of University of Pennsylvania.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, Aug. 23, at 10 a.m. at Chestnut Hill United Church, 8812 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia.
Arrangements are by the Melvin Funeral Home; go to www.melvinfuneralhome.com for further information, leave a letter of condolence, or to send flowers.
