BURLEY, Sandra Georgena Burley

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Sandra Burley on June 29, 2026.

Sandra was born on February 26, 1940, to Gladys and George Lemon. She grew up in Port Credit in the home her father built, surrounded by family and the memories of a close and loving childhood. When she was a child, her father built what became known as “The Lemons 4” — a group of four cottages and a cabin at Wasaga Beach. As a teenager, Sandra spent summers there with her mother, father, and sisters, living in the cabin while the cottages were rented out.

It was during a summer job on Rice Lake, in Bewdley, Ontario, that Sandra met the love of her life, Raymond. Sandra and Ray were married on August 5, 1961, and would have celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary this year. Together, they built a life filled with family, friends, music, laughter, and love.

Sandra Georgena Burley was the beloved wife of Raymond Burley; loving mother of Kimberley Neeson and May Michele Frank; cherished grandmother of James and Yael, Will and Nicole, and Maxwell; and proud great-grandmother of Teddy. She was the dear sister of Mary Lou Curtis, deceased, and Diane Lemon.

Sandra devoted much of her professional life to teaching. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree part-time while raising her family and later obtained her special education certification. Over the course of her career, she taught Grades 3 through 8, special education, and children who were in hospital. She brought intelligence, patience, creativity, and compassion to her work, and made a meaningful difference in the lives of many children.

After retiring in her early 50s, Sandra began an entirely new chapter. She became involved with Act II Studio at Ryerson University, now Toronto Metropolitan University, where she took courses in acting and directing. What followed was a rich and joyful second act in the theatre world. Sandra acted, directed, and worked behind the scenes with many groups in Mississauga, Toronto, and Collingwood. She also returned to one of her childhood loves: tap dancing. Sandra was still “tap-a-tap-a-tapping” up until Christmas of 2025 — a perfect reflection of her spirit, energy, humour, and love of performance.

The cottage at Wasaga Beach was the family’s favourite place. At the end of each school year, Sandra, her mother Gladys, Kim, May, and the family dog would pack up the Volkswagen “Beetlebug” and drive north for the summer, coaxing the car up the hills of Highway 10. Summers were spent surrounded by family and friends: playing euchre, enjoying corn roasts and barbecues, sitting by the fire, going for boat rides, spending days at the beach, and waiting for Ray to arrive on Friday nights. There was always laughter, conversation, music, and joy.

Many happy times were also spent with the Burley family in Port Hope, including Ray’s parents, Harry and Annie Burley, where music, laughter, and family stories were always part of the gathering.

Sandra also spent a great deal of time at the cottage with her sisters, nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family. Over the years, the cottage crew grew and changed, with the Whall and Goldsworthy families and many beloved relatives and friends becoming part of the rhythm and joy of cottage summers. It was truly a family affair.

After a diagnosis of terminal cancer in May 2026, Sandra chose to die as she lived — on her own terms. Our family is profoundly grateful for MAiD, which allowed Sandra to avoid months of increasing pain and suffering and to leave this life peacefully, with dignity, clarity, and love. For Sandra, MAiD was not a loss of hope; it was a compassionate choice.

Sandra will be remembered for her creativity, determination, warmth, humour, and deep love of family. She lived many lives within one life: daughter, sister, wife, mother, teacher, student, performer, director, dancer, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She met each chapter with curiosity, courage, and joy.

She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew her.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Sandra’s memory to Dying With Dignity Canada, or to a charity of your choice.

An interment service at the niche will be held at Wasaga Beach Cemetery at 12:00 noon on Tuesday, July 28, 2026. A celebration of life reception will follow at one of Sandra’s favourite places near New Wasaga Beach, close to the old family cottage, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at 18 Edward Street. For parking, guests may park on River Road East or use paid parking at the beach.

Kindly RSVP to neesonkimberley@gmail.com.