Mother’s Day..... a mother sorely missed and forever loved

March 6th. Sandra’s birthday. It’s too bad that she is not with us. We all love her so so much. Life is not the same without her. A hurt that will probably never heal.

Thought provoking, positive, welcoming, intelligent. An inspiration to all. Lots of fun, and a good dancer. She will be greatly missed .

Sandra was such a force of energy and believed with her every fiber the miracle elixir of occupational therapy. I very much remember when she was diagnosed with MS and our long conversations about it. It was such a blow to her and yet she had a sheer determination to understand it and do everything possible to enhance or maintain her quality of life. I should also note that she had a passion around participating in the education of next generation of occupational therapists. She so enjoyed working with the students and the students got so much in return believing that she was the model occupational therapist. Indeed she was - a tour de force! I want to extend my sincere condolences to Dennis and the family.

I first met Sandra when we volunteered for the Vancouver branch of BCSOT, back when networking was highly social over coffee and snacks, as we planned ways to promote and advance the profession locally. Some 20 years later, it was a pleasure to supervise Sandra as she completed her master’s thesis exploring employment experiences of people living with bipolar disorder. Sandra was so very committed to and enthusiastic about her research, and exhibited great joy in learning. Oh my goodness, the conversations we had over multiple revisions and sometimes left-field ideas! Sandra graciously and personably shared gratitude for the financial support she received from granting agencies, moral support from her fellow students and clinical colleagues, and candid experiences shared by study participants. After days of preparation and trial runs, she was thrilled to receive the audience choice award for her “3-minute thesis” presentation in the faculty-wide competition. As others have shared, there was always a good laugh and twinkling eyes when Sandra was in the room. My sincere condolences to Dennis, Peter, and Lindsay, Sandra’s family, friends, and colleagues.

My memories of working with Sandra go back to 1991-1994. I had just graduated from the OT program and started working at Shaughnessy Hospital. What I remember most fondly is her passion working with clients with spinal cord injuries. I learned valuable lessons which I have carried through my career in working with clients with neurological conditions. The other memory that really sticks out for me is how she made us all laugh during our lunch time skits in the OT department. RIP Sandra!

I started working with Sandra as a HCA in 2016, due her multiple sclerosis condition. l had the pleasure of being with her for fours years, Sandra was one of the kindest people that l ever had the privilege to work with. She was always grateful, optimistic, with a great sense of humour, and a genuine good heart. l have learned a lot with her, she will be very missed for those that were lucky to meet her in her passage on this planet.

It was always a special event when you were with Sandra and her incredible sense of humour. She was exemplary as an OT. A bright light. A shining star. She leaves us with great memories.

Dedication to people with no prejudice

Sandra was a fun, creative and loving soul. She was an energetic and conscientious OT and a good friend. There was a group of us OT friends from university who stayed in touch. Back in the late 80's, two of us would fly out from Alberta, Sandra would pick us up in Vancouver and we would take the ferry to Victoria to meet two more OT friends. What wonderful weekend adventures! We would explore the island and then sit, eat, and laugh. In the last decade or so, we have re-booted our OT friend get-togethers, hanging out at a cabin on Gull Lake, Alberta. Sandra flew out to join us twice (I think - forgive my aging brain!) We would sit and eat and laugh, laugh, laugh. What a gift it is to have friends for over 35 years! The last time I saw Sandra was on Mother’s Day 2019. MS no longer allowed her to fly to Alberta or respond to emails, so Lynne, another OT friend, and I flew out to see her. We had Mother’s Day lunch with Sandra, Dennis, Peter and Lindsay. We had only seen Peter and Lindsay when they were young and through the school photos Sandra had sent us. What a joy to meet them as adults, what fine human beings they are growing into. Funny and kind and good, just like Sandra. Sandra once wrote me a letter, in maybe 2001, sharing that through her journey with MS, difficult though it was, she had a spiritual awakening which blessed her. Visiting her in 2019, while praying with her for a remission or healing, she also voiced her hope in Jesus and eternal life and her sadness in leaving her children and husband too early. Sharing in this sadness, prayers for comfort and peace are extended to Dennis, Peter and Lindsay as well as Sandra’s mom and her entire family. Sandra will be dearly missed.

20 years ago Sandra Hale welcomed us to the neighbourhood with a plate of fresh out of the oven cookies! Sandra was a kind, compassionate, caring person with a wealth of knowledge in all aspects of life. We are blessed to have known such an amazing woman. She will be deeply missed. Our thoughts are with Dennis, Peter and Lindsay as well as all her family, friends and colleagues. Talk about Sandra, share stories, keep her joyful spirit alive.

Where might I begin? How about 1981? Hmmm. This I can intimate..... Sandra would never give up on anyone that she knew. I’m case in point. Our son Peter got the best of Sandra and our most precious daughter Lindsay got the very best that Sandra could give. An angel going home.

“ Sandra was the dearest friend ever, always a great listener, a smile on her face, a twinkle in her eye and the utmost in optimistic perspective!”

“Sandra had the heart of an OT! Whether through innovating clinical practice or crafting intricate and personal decorations for everyone she worked with, she was a creative soul.”