September 28, 1928 - December 8, 2024
In loving memory ~
We are sad to share the news of the passing of a very special lady, Sandra "Sandy" Heydon. She passed away at 96 surrounded by love - her family, friends, & caring staff at Chemainus Health Care Centre.
Sandra was predeceased in 2010 by her husband, Dr. Gordon Heydon, a highly regarded Chemainus doctor. Together they moved to Chemainus with their young family in 1955. Gordon had just completed his internship at Vancouver General & Sandra had been teaching at McPherson Junior High.
Born & raised in Burnaby, Sandra was the youngest & last surviving child of Ashton & Dolenna MacCarthy. Sandra & her siblings Jim, Parker, & Jessie grew up on their family's small dairy farm on Kingsway. She graduated from South Burnaby High in 1946 & went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts degree from UBC in 1950 & her Teaching Certification from Vancouver Normal School in 1951.
Shortly after moving to Chemainus, Sandra joined the Hospital Auxiliary beginning her lifelong membership & service with the organization. Through the years she was well known, admired & respected for the exceptional leadership, energy, & enthusiasm she brought to the Auxiliary as well as many other organizations & the community in general.
A tireless volunteer & creative force, she received many awards in recognition of her outstanding service & commitment to the community, including the prestigious Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002 & the British Columbia Community Achievement Award in 2007.
Beautiful inside & out, Sandra had a remarkable ability to inspire & bring people of all ages & walks of life together. She touched & brought joy to so many lives & was once described as "the Spirit of Chemainus Personified".
Sandra produced & directed over 17 full length original musical productions (Hospital Day Shows) & many other special events to help raise funds to purchase equipment for the hospital & health related services. She organized & chaired the Health Care Task Force & played piano every week for decades for the enjoyment of Chemainus Health Care Centre residents.
One of the original members of the Chemainus Revitalization Committee & Festival of Murals Society, Sandra devoted countless hours to the town's revitalization projects which helped transform "The Little Town That Did" into a world class destination.
As president of the Seniors' Drop-In Centre, she played a leading role in making the Centre one of the most productive, thriving, & fun-filled places in town. She produced & directed eight more original musicals & coordinated many special events for the enjoyment of members & to raise funds for the Centre & other initiatives including Tour de Rock. She also led the Centre's ambitious building expansion & renovation project.
Above all, Sandra was devoted to her family. She cherished time spent with family & friends. She especially loved her role as Grandma & took special pride in her grandchildren.
Sandra will be lovingly remembered for her beautiful smile, sense of humour, kind caring ways & so much more. She leaves behind her son Keith (Denise), daughter Elizabeth Bennett (Mark), grandchildren Spencer & Georgia Bennett, step grandson Bryce Bennett (Natasha, Oslo, Sebastian); the MacCarthys - nephews Parker (Virginia), Steven (Sheila), Greg, their families, niece Jane, late nephew John's children, sister-in-law Barbara, her friends & her community - all forever enriched by her life.
If you wish to make a donation, please consider the Chemainus Health Care Auxiliary.
A Celebration of Life will be announced later.
For information/updates: www.firstmemorialduncan.com.