Sandra Elizabeth Mortenson

Born the third child of Seymour Yates and Joyce Tunstall in post-war Britain, Sandi (Sandra Elizabeth) demonstrated early in life a quiet determination, a gentle sensitivity to those around her (both two and four-legged), and an artistic flair which embraced colour, line, form and context. These qualities would accompany her throughout her life.

When Sandi’s family immigrated to Canada in 1956, Sandi came to understand that there was always another destination awaiting her visit and a life-long desire to travel the world took hold.

After high school in Toronto, Sandi moved to Montreal to pursue her interest in design and tailoring at the Academy of Fashion, while working for Bagatelle. It was here that she met her first husband Manfred and together they created a line of leather and suede clothing. After a year of non-stop work in the Laurentians, the pair took their earnings and adventured off to Europe, settling first in Munich for a year and then Switzerland for another year. When they returned to Canada, they brought with them a love of mountains and traded the Alps for the Rockies.

After realizing that she wanted children, Sandi started a new chapter in life. She met Richard (Rick) Kruse on a park bench in Stanley Park, Vancouver; they were married a short-time later and had a son, Robert (Rob) while living in Trail, BC. Together, they followed her career (and deep love for travel) to South East Asia and eventually Texas, where they spent their time travelling, working and enjoying life.

Sandi was captivated by experiencing new people, and new cultures. She loved sharing stories of her travels – from Vietnam filled with warm people and stunning countryside to the Great Wall of China. But it was really India that captured her heart – after falling in love with the elephants (and the people), she went back time and time again. On her last trip, having fallen in love with an elephant statue early in her trip, she opted to carry it across the country so she could add it to her already extensive collection back home.

Deciding it was time to return to Canada, Sandi moved back to Victoria with Rob and her beloved dog, Spud. When her mother, Joyce, suffered a stroke, Sandi stepped in to provide support & companionship, while still growing her list of professional accomplishments – notably, designing a massive renovation at Royal Roads College, and being awarded an honorary Master’s of Fine Arts from Washington State University.

With her son grown and her mother no longer needing her care, Sandi took her career to Minnesota. Several years later, after a fall, she was diagnosed with a functional tremor. The progressively debilitating effects of this condition robbed her of her freedoms for years to come but not of her hope, resilience or courage. She returned to the West Coast by moving first to Point Roberts, then later to Vancouver to be closer to family, all while maintaining her fierce determination, hoping to one day travel to Africa.

Sandi suddenly passed away on April 30th, 2020, almost a week after her 72nd birthday. Although separated from her family and friends because of COVID-19, she was upbeat to the end. We will all miss her tireless optimism, companionship, friendship, and love.

Sandra is survived and mourned by her loving son Rob and her daughter-in-law Amy, brother Bob Yates (Betty), sisters Joan Schmidt (Ted) and Jill Woodman (Mike); nieces Eileen Mitchell (Reid), Susannah Schmidt (Ryan George) and Christiane Schmidt; nephews Justin, Josh and Joel Woodman; grand-nephews John and Doug Mitchell, Joe and Hugh Schmidt George and grand-niece Molly Mitchell. Her joyful smile, her incredible kindness and her tender spirit will be sorely missed.