Obituary of Sandra Lorraine Winchester
It is with profound sadness that her family announces the passing of Sandra Lorraine Winchester at the Saint John Regional Hospital on April 19, 2024.
San was born on Dec 3, 1937. She was predeceased by her parents, Robert and Laura, and her sister, Roberta “Bobbie” Walker.
San was a graduate of the Saint John School of Nursing and, in her 30s, obtained a Bachelor of Nursing degree from UNB. She spent most of her career with DVA, first on the West Side and then at Ridgewood. She also worked for a time in New Jersey. She was a compassionate caregiver and, after retirement, a tireless volunteer at the North End Food Bank, St. Luke’s Anglican Church Outreach, the St. John and St. Stephen Nursing Home, to name but a handful of the organizations that benefited from her time and commitment.
Anyone who knew San knew that she had opinions, and she wasn’t afraid to share them. (Just ask Mal how San felt about her tattoos!) She was well-read and kept on top of the news, mostly by watching The View. She loved the NYT crossword puzzle, and many of us will have “helped” her complete them with “hints” aka looking up the answers on our “magic phones”. San loved to get out and about. She especially loved a drive up the Old River Road, past her favourite spot at Public Landing. San was a terrific, albeit messy, cook. Roast beef dinners at her house were legendary. Desserts, however, were not her forte. There are lots of funny stories about raspberry pies with too much thickener and pineapple squares with “sandy” bottom layers. She loved her sweets, though, and watching her face when she had something she considered too sour was the best part of family dinner. San was a competitive person. She loved cribbage and had recently started to play Skip Bo with her friends at Chateau de Champlain, where she had been living for the past several years. Family game nights were extra funny if San was called upon to sing (“Songbird” anyone?) or mime, or if there was a nurse-y question, especially when Bobbie was still alive; the looks they shared while deliberating over an answer were hysterical. San had an unbelievable memory. A trip to Sobeys with her (and let’s hope you had an extra hour) always guaranteed you meeting people she went to kindergarten with; not only did she recognize them, but she knew their names! She loved going to see live music at the Imperial, especially Elvis impersonators, a bargain at Giant Tiger, and tea and a cookie (or three). Sandra lived a full, productive, and positive life.
She was a faithful friend and leaves behind her cherished life-long friend Joan Randon, as well as Pauline Long, and Jean Hatfield. Special cousins include Cheryl Parent, Joanne Hughes and Elaine Laughlin. The family would also like to thank Dr. Jane Ashfield, who was very good to Sandra.
San is survived by her brother Brian (Brenda); nieces, Christie, Kathryn (Dave) and Alexandra; nephews, Tom (Lisa), Mark and James (Connie); great-nieces and nephews, Danielle, Mallory, Connor, Declan and Keagan. Except for spouses, she held every single person on this list in her arms when they were babies. That’s a remarkable thing and we were lucky to have her love and support for so many years.
At Sandra’s request, there will be no visiting or service. Donations on her behalf can be made to St. Luke’s Anglican Church, or a charity of the donor’s choice.
