She passed away peacefully on January 2, 2026, with her special and trusted companions by her side.
Born in Vernon, Sandy grew up and attended school in Kelowna, the community she always called home. Quiet and strong, she lived life on her own terms. Small in stature but very determined in spirit, Sandy made her needs known and ensured her boundaries were respected. She was a woman of few words whose wishes were always clear.
Sandy delighted in simple pleasures. A quiet coffee in the sun. Ice cream anytime, anywhere, and the occasional rum and Coke. She loved to keep her nails polished and manicured. She had a lifelong love of dancing and enjoyed going out weekly in the 1990s when her favourite tune was “Don’t Laugh” by Warehouse Grooves 3. A frequent traveller to Mexico, Sandy spent her time there soaking up the sun by the pool. She enjoyed visiting babies and softly rubbing their little feet. She was always interested in dogs and enjoyed their company.
For more than 40 years, Sandy created a home with four roommates, sharing daily life, and all the ups and downs that come with it. Together, they formed an extended network of family and friends that grew and endured over decades. She attended services at Pathways Abilities Society for almost 50 years, meeting many people and cultivating special relationships with those she knew well and trusted. She was a serene and steady presence.
Left to cherish her memory are her brother Doug; sister Judy (Ed); nieces Lianne (Derek), Lauren, and Denise (Mauro); great-nephews Tristan, Brandon, Ryan, Kyle, and Christopher; and roommates Angie, Bev, Jeff, and Karen. Sandy especially valued her connection with Glenda, Maria, and Cyndy, long-serving employees of Pathways she trusted to always “have her back”. She was predeceased by her parents, Anne and Bob Ford, who she missed deeply.
Sandy will be remembered for her quiet strength, determination, and the steady presence she brought to those who shared her life.
