Marcia Lynne Mehser Sanderlin

September 12, 1946 - May 27, 2016
Marcia Lynne Mehser Sanderlin

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Marcia Lynne Mehser Sanderlin passed away on May 27, 2016 at Lower Cape Fear Hospice in Wilmington, NC.

Born in 1946 in Lincoln, Nebraska, she was preceded in death by her parents, Victor and Mary Mehser. She is survived by a sister, Vicky and husband Neal Hatcher of Portsmouth, Ohio, three children, Maggi and husband Matt Apel of Wilmington, NC, a son Eli Sanderlin of Wilmington, NC and son Case Sanderlin of Venice Beach, California, Four grandchildren,  Peyton and Bryce Apel, George Sanderlin and Pyper Baron. She is also survived by a long-time friend and companion, Cindy Schultz.

Sanderlin was raised in Nashville, Tennessee where she attended The Harpeth Hall School for girls. She graduated from Portsmouth High School in Ohio in 1964. She received an associate Degree in Applied Sciences from Sullins College in Bristol, Virginia in 1966 and a BA in Journalism from The Ohio State University in 1968. She was an avid Buckeye fan.

Sanderlin began working in the family business, Savory Foods, Inc. a pork rind processor in 1984. She managed the Elks Country Club pool for 5 years and was instrumental in starting high school swimming in Scioto County, Ohio. As founder and coach of the Notre Dame Titans, she spent 12 years on deck and went undefeated in girls’ county championships.

In 2001, Sanderlin was honored to be an Olympic Torch Bearer for the 2002 Utah Olympics. She served two terms as chair of the American Red Cross and was involved in various other charities. She served on the Board of Directors of the International Snack Food Association.

Sanderlin’s body was cremated and a celebration is planned for her at her home on Wrightsville Beach, NC on June 18th at 5:00 pm for family and friends. Please make donations to Airlie Gardens or New Hanover County Arboretum to help keep this a beautiful place to live.

Please share memories and condolences with the family by clicking on the “Post a Condolence” tab below.

Wilmington Funeral & Cremation, 1535 S.41st Street Wilmington, NC 28403. 910.791.9099.


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  • June 01, 2016
    Rhonda Bellamy says:
    Dear Maggie & Family, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. You're mother sounded like an amazing person who left many great memories.

  • June 02, 2016
    Bill & Mary Martha Questel says:
    Love and prayers to all the family.

  • June 02, 2016
    Chad Slate says:
    Marcia was an incredible woman, a great mother and grandmother and an awesome person. We will miss her dearly and love her forever.

  • June 02, 2016
    Dorothy (Dory) Stamps Ingram says:
    Marcia was one of my classmates at Harpeth Hall. When we held our 50th reunion, we put together a legacy book to reconnect with each other after 50 years. Even though Marcia was unable to be with us, she did write to us sharing her experiences. She wrote with great pride about her experiences in coaching swimming and establishing a successful program of high school swimming in Portsmouth. We all missed her at the reunion, and we miss her now. Her family is in our thoughts and prayers.

  • June 01, 2016
    Kathy Hedrick Bass says:
    I first met Marcia when we were in grade school. She moved to Nashville with her parents and sister and our mothers were friends. We did not attend school together until Harpeth Hall, but we became good friends before then. I spent many a night at her home in Hillwood and I adored her parents. Her farther would hide in her closet and scare us. He was so funny. They always had lots of snacks and cookies and I loved going over there. They moved to Ohio when we were at Harpeth Hall and I lost touch with them. Marcia and her parents came to Nashville to a food convention and she called me. I went out to the Opryland Hotel where they were staying and had a great visit. It had been years since I had seen them and I'm so glad that I had that chance. Fun memories with the Mehser family!