Sandra Gale Brown was born on a stormy summer evening, August 19, 1947 in Toronto to Harry and Jeannie Rutter (nee Sneddon). She died peacefully on the evening of January 4, 2025 with her children, Kevin (Robin), Jennifer (David) and her beloved "Sis" Denise King by her side. Known as "Grammy" to Sophie and Olive Brown, she leaves them a profound legacy of unconditional love.  Deeply missed by her brother-in-law David King, her niece Erin King (Chris), and great-nephew Henry Saldarelli. She is also survived by her sister Louise Rutter. Fondly remembered by Craig McLaren (Paul). Predeceased by cherished cousin Heather McLaren, and nephew, Fraser King.

Born into a military family, Sandra grew up in several cities across Canada and the United States. Owing to this, Sandra developed the enviable, lifelong skill of being adept at saying heartfelt goodbyes to old friends while holding space for making new ones. She genuinely viewed strangers as friends she simply had not met yet. Whether you were in her orbit for 5 months or 50 years, in Sandra you had a friend for life.  

Sandra navigated life's rich journey with her hallmark optimism, creativity, humour and grace. She was gifted in her ability to let the elements of joy defeat great sorrows. Sandra was predeceased by her former husband of 28 years, Paul William Brown. Their zest for life and adventure was infectious to those around them, most importantly to their children. Together, they gave the best of themselves to carry forward, imprinting on their children the importance of the enduring bonds of friendship and family.

At age 50, Sandra reinvented herself, completing a college degree, and beginning a new chapter in her life. In the last 25 years she returned to her hometown of Toronto to be closer to her children. In all realms across her life she gave more than she took. She was active in her community through volunteerism with Hospice Toronto, and despite physical limitations in later years, she remained focused on maintaining and building connections with those around her. With her candor and inexhaustible interest in the lives of others, she drew people together.  Sandra loved her family, her friends, dogs, travel and the transcendent possibilities of open heartedness. She will be so deeply missed by her family and friends who are left to make sense of a paler world without her. 

We wish to extend heartfelt gratitude to the Palliative Care Teams at Bridgepoint Hospital and St. Michael's Hospital, including Dr. Jeff Myers and Dr. Jonathon Ailon who cared for Sandra in her final months. A special thanks to respirologist Dr. Samir Gupta at St. Michael's Hospital whose attentive care supported Sandra to live her life whole. She would not have had it any other way.

Those wishing to extend the kindness that Sandra brought to the lives of others are invited to donate in her memory to St. Michael's Hospital Foundation: https: //stmichaelsfoundation.com/ways-to-donate/ 

In keeping with Sandra’s wishes and joyful spirit, a celebration of her life will take place in the spring of 2025.