Obituary of Jeannine LeFay Delcambre

IN LOVING MEMORY Our beloved Jeannine LeFay Delcambre (née Sanford) devoted mother, daughter, sister, and friend left the world suddenly on Saturday, January 29, 2022 at age 61. Jeannine was born April 21, 1960 to Marjorie Crawford Sanford and the late Colonel James Edward Sanford at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, MS, the third of five children. She is survived by her beloved daughters, Danielle LeFay Delcambre, formerly of Lake Placid, NY; and Annelise Jeannine Delcambre, of Vancouver, WA who are the loves of her life. She is also survived by her mother, Marjorie Sanford Gittinger of Greensboro, NC; siblings, Emily Tice of Las Vegas, NV; James "Jimmy" Sanford (Eva) of Indonesia; Christine Vanyo (Ron) of Los Angeles, CA; Jonathan Sanford (Dennis McLevish) of San Antonio, TX; former husband, Dr. Charles Delcambre (Debbie); nieces Julie McCormick (Daniel); Christine Sanford; Monica Sanford; and great nephews, Jason Sanford, Charles McCormick, Harrison McCormick, William McCormick and Keaton McCormick; her special sister/cousin Elaine Keaton Williams of New Orleans, LA as well as many, many other beloved cousins, relatives, countless friends, neighbors and companions. She is also survived by her cherished pets, Lucy Sky the gorgeous dog and JoJo the cockatiel, along with her grand dogs, Harley and Atticus. She is preceded in death by her father Col. James Edward Sanford; stepfather, Eugene A. Gittinger; maternal grandparents, Eunice and Phillip Crawford of Bush, LA; and paternal grandmother, Grace Sanford Houston, of Covington, LA, and her grand dog, Maverick Star and Kitty Mason Moon, whom she adored almost more than her own children. Growing up in a military family, Jeannine acquired a love for travel, art, music and history, as well as developing a magnificent ability to honor others. After graduating Roosevelt High School in 1978, she attended and studied music education at Hardin-Simmons University; later transferring to Texas A&M and obtaining her requirements for a degree in Physical Therapy and eventually completing her education at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, TX earning her BS in Physical Therapy, specializing in pediatrics. She met her former husband, Charles Delcambre, in high school, but lost touch after graduation. Eventually the two reunited and married in 1982. Together they had two daughters: Danielle Delcambre and Annelise Delcambre. They have remained close friends and have an incredible bond as parents and cherished friends. Together they not only share their amazing daughters, but also a love for nature, adventure, and cooking. After living in various locations and finishing their education, the family moved from Vancouver, WA, to Greensboro, NC where Jeannine resided for the last 18 years, creating a beautiful life for her family. At the time of her death, she had relocated to Lake Placid, New York. Jeannine's recent move to NY was the first step to ultimately living with her daughters, becoming a grandma one day, and opening an inn with her daughter, Danielle. She dreamed of being the master gardener for the inn, and of course having all her family surrounding her. She frequently joked about building a compound where her daughters, siblings, grandchildren, and mother would all live together, happily ever after. Being a true Taurus, Jeannine was drawn to anything beautiful, comfortable, delicious, and fun. She had a love affair with all creatures great and small, plants, animals, children, music, gardening, cooking, sewing, needlepoint, journaling, decorating, art, painting, drawing, wine, and food. She was an accomplished musician, songwriter, pianist, soloist and choral group member. She was a member of the Greensboro Choral Society, Triad Pride Chorus, and a local ukulele jam group. She spent a lifetime performing, directing, and educating others in music, whether teaching piano lessons, giving private voice lessons, or teaching young children how to make beautiful sounds. She was a long-time member of the Unity in Greensboro, her spiritual community, where she held many deep and loving friendships, lead musical programs for both events and services, and was the colorful lady dancing at all times. As a master mediator, Jeannine believed that the closest you could be to God was drinking coffee while gardening in her pajamas and enjoying her very popular bird feeders that catered to finches, chipmunks, squirrels, chickadees, hummingbirds, butterflies, and her favorite, cardinals. She was a member of the National Audubon Society and loved every living thing, even the creepy crawlies. Jeannine loved spending time in the kitchen creating delicious meals for her family and organizing elaborate celebrations for her friends and neighbors which earned her the reputation of an extraordinary entertainer, cook, and decorator. She filled her home with beauty, artwork, exquisite décor, and music. She became synonymous with her famous and annual Winter Solstice Party which brought together people to enjoy nature, music, food, and gin & tonics. Besides her daughters, Jeannine's deepest passion in life was healing the sick and hurting. Her career spanning over 40 years primarily involved treating children with severe disabilities, autism, birth defects, or devastating physical impairments. She was beyond gifted in being able to find ways to comfort, uplift, and develop those in Early Intervention (0y-5y), all the way up to those in memory care. She had a magical gift of being able to touch and heal those that seemed incurable. Jeannine was a regular blood donor to the American Red Cross, strongly supporting them after Danielle's traumatic birth and transfusion 33 years ago. Being nothing but extraordinary, she consistently donated double reds, and was designated as a "Hero for Babies" by the Red Cross for being CMV-negative. She was also an avid supporter of animal and women's rights, and an active member of the Association of Happiness for All Mankind (AHAM) in Asheboro, NC. She was a fierce social justice advocate, participating in the Women's March on Washington, many Pride parades, March for Science (DC), Global Climate March, and many marches benefiting those with disabilities and diseases. The simplest pleasures in life brought great joy to Jeannine. She often explored local hiking trails, enjoying nature and spending time with her family on lakeside camping trips. She loved the mountains and the sea, boating, canoeing, swimming, and chasing waterfalls. Some of her happiest moments were spent floating in any body of water, regardless of size. Her daughters laugh now at her impulsive hot tub purchase so she could float at her new home. She was an expert water and snow skier, and spent every opportunity she could visiting the Cascades, Rockies, Blue Ridge, and Appalachian Mountains being close to her mother nature. The family enjoyed travel vacations to Hawaii, Europe, Tahiti, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Canada, and multiple road trips around the country with her daughters. While she had impeccable taste, she truly valued the simple pleasures of life over worldly objects. These world experiences gave Jeannine the ability to care for and love people of all walks of life. She was often described by her daughters as a "sparkle fairy princess ballerina" and they loved to joke at her "shiny objects syndrome" for even the smallest glitter seen in a pebble. Her sparking green eyes and joyful spirit were contagious to everyone she met, and she blessed all who crossed her path. Over her lifetime, she dedicated countless hours to charity work, volunteering, caring for those less fortunate and assisting children and the elderly. Her contributions to this world are untold as she is remembered as a devoted mother, engaging performer, a seeker of peace, and lover of nature. The beautiful, dynamic, bright, illuminated, glowing light of our precious Jeannine will be deeply missed and mourned by all. The family has postponed services until we can gather safely. At this time of mourning, we feel we cannot truly celebrate her legacy as she wished. She would not want us to be sad but would say "the purpose of life is to play, the universe loves you, everything is for your highest good, and everything happens for a reason." Information will follow at later time. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Autism Speaks or the American Red Cross in memory of Jeannine L. Delcambre. Jeannine consistently recited the following prayer, and we now turn to it for comfort. The Prayer for Protection by James Dillet Freeman The Light of God Surrounds You The Love of God Enfolds You The Power of God Protects You And The Presence of God Watches Over You. Wherever I am, God is, and ALL IS WELL.