Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory

Florence Ellen Sanford Balko

On January 16, 2023 Florence Ellen Sanford Balko peacefully passed away at the age of 94. Ellen was the youngest of ten children born to William Henry and Mary Alice (Johnson) Sanford on March 25, 1928. She was predeceased by her parents and all of her siblings; Benjamin Asbury Sanford (Ruth), Clara Frances Marmaduke (Richard), William Randolph Sanford (Cora), Walter Lewis Sanford, Mary Pauline (Sugar) Clark (William), Emma Josephine Reed (Charles), Annie Elizabeth England (Stuart), Kathryn May Beddoo (George), Maud Lee Sanford. Her devoted niece, Mary Ellen Rollins, who was more like a sister than a niece, survives her. She leaves behind several nieces and nephews and many grandnieces and grandnephews. She will be dearly missed by her friend of 66 years, her partner in crime, Clara Wampler.

Since childhood, Ellen was a member of Providence United Methodist Church in Montross, Virginia where she will rest in eternal peace alongside other family members.

Ellen retired from the Office of Education in 1987 and before then, she was employed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. She was at NASA when the first seven Astronauts were introduced.

Ellen, a life member of the Order of the Eastern Star, in the District of Columbia was a faithful member. Her life membership included serving as Worthy Matron, the leader of Federal Chapter No. 38, nine times and in more recent years the Treasurer of the Chapter. She was Worthy Grand Matron in 1982 with close friend Sherwood Dameron. Her memberships also included the Lyons Club, the Ladies Oriental Shrine and the Red Hat Society.

Funeral arrangements are as follow:
Viewing and visitation at Kalas Funeral Home, 6160 Oxon Hill Rd., Oxon Hill, Md. Friday, January 27, 2023 4:00- 7:00 pm	Order of the Eastern Star Service

Viewing and visitation at Providence UMC, 5417 Stratford Hall Rd., Montross, Va. Saturday, January 28, 2023 11:00 - 1:00 pm Service by Pastor David Lagerveld at 1:00pm. Burial in church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Providence UMC Cemetery Fund; PO Box 913, Montross, Va. 22520














Ellen Sanford Balko

Ellen Sanford Balko

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