Sally Sturdy

STURDY, Sally (née Mckee) –

Sally Sturdy (née Mckee) passed away at the age of 96 at St. Luke’s Place in Cambridge, Ontario on August 10, 2026. She was predeceased by her husband Peter in 2012.

Survived by daughters Cathy (Peter Smith), Heather (Tracy Crape), Susan (Kevin Matthews), Sandy (Dave Arnott) and son Hugh who had been her live in personal caregiver for six years. Sally is also survived by grandchildren Matt, Holly, Kaila, Josh, Brett, Caiti and Drumlin, great grandchildren Olive, Arthur, Noah, Jack, Henry, Oliver, and Jaxon. Also survived by her brother Robert (Bob) McKee (Late wife Carol) Niece and nephews. 

She loved all her family deeply.

Sally was born in Owen Sound and lived with her parents Dr. George and Dorothy McKee and brother Bob until moving to Toronto to attend Victoria College at the University of Toronto. Sally lived most of her life in Preston (Cambridge), Ontario after her marriage to Peter in 1953. She was a busy stay-at-home mom and a volunteer in her community. Sally was a devoted friend all her life and especially enjoyed her bridge club friends, lunches out with her special circle and phone call checks with friends who had been unwell.

Sally loved to read and had a huge library of British murder mysteries in her home which she gladly loaned out to family and friends. She attended yoga classes and enjoyed cryptic crosswords well into her 80’s.  She was a devoted CBC program listener, a favourite being ‘Because News’ airing on Saturday mornings and during which she was unavailable for phone calls. Sally was known for her beautiful smile and sense of humour and loved to laugh. She loved a nice summer swim in the pool (had to be very warm water). She was a devoted Blue Jay fan and loved to talk about the games and share opinions about the team’s season. She loved Big Band music and even some contemporary artists and in her younger years, loved to dance.  Facetime visits with her great grandchildren made her laugh out loud and she loved the regular video visits with her children.

Although she was not keen on sailing, she did enjoy the times spent on Georgian Bay making so many new boating friends.

During Sally’s time at St. Luke’s Place, she helped bring other residents together with the help of her son Hugh and caregiver Maya for morning coffee conversations and stories. To the end her bright smile and sense of humour made an impression on many. 

Sally’s family wishes to thank the nurses and staff of St. Luke’s Place for their loving care and for providing opportunities to enjoy activities and experiences that brought her joy.  And we would like to especially thank her private caregiver, Maya with whom she formed a very special connection and who had such an impact on Sally’s life. We are forever grateful.

Cremation has taken place.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Society, Indspire Canada, Diabetes Canada or a charity of your choice.

A Celebration of Life will take place at The Black Shop Restaurant, (595 Hespeler Road, Cambridge. Ontario N1R 6J3, 519 – 621- 4180) from 2:30 pm to 5 pm on Wednesday, October 14, 2026.