Mrs. Sandy Hughes

After a short but courageous battle with cancer and with her family beside her Sandy peacefully passed on, July 7, 2013.

Left forever to cherish Sandy’s memory are her husband Dean and three sons, Brad (Yvette), Brent (Nicole), Cory and three grandchildren Emma, Cale and Kane. Sandy will also be remembered by her mother-in-law Audrey, brother Brian and sister Janice (Dan), sister-in-law Shannon (Ross) and many nieces and nephews. Sandy was predeceased by her parents Keith and Betty McLean and father in law Calvin.

Sandy was married to Dean September 19, 1981 and together they started their life journey, creating their own family along the way. Sandy’s family was the most important thing in her life and she was so proud of her three boys.

As time passed Sandy got the girls she always wanted when Nicole and Yvette joined the family. She always said she was blessed to have such beautiful daughters to look after her boys.

Nothing in life was more important to Sandy then her grandchildren and she was so proud to be a grandmother.

Sandy had a second family and they were the people she worked with at MTS. She was very proud of her role at work and the things she helped accomplish. Sandy couldn’t and didn’t talk about what her job entailed but she did talk about the people and how special they were to her and she developed many close friendships at work.

Sandy was a hard worker and she tackled any challenge presented to her. Those traits carried into her personal life as she guided her family through life.

Sandy was always helping friends and family using her ability to plan and navigate through tough situations.

Sandy loved her time off work and she loved spending her free time with a house full of people, preparing meals and enjoying each other’s company. Many close friendships were developed while enjoying one of Sandy’s fabulous meals.

Sandy had many childhood friends who were very important to her throughout her life. There were her “Three Angels”, who she loved dearly and without their help the battle with cancer would have been so much harder. She always looked forward to their visits and they always brought a smile to her face that would carry us through some tough times.

Sandy’s family would like to thank the many people that touched Sandy’s life and were special to her and her family. Peter your passion and drive helped mold Sandy into the force that she was and your love and care carried her throughout her life.

Thank you to the people at MTS and Imperial Steel Products, who were so helpful and caring as we dealt with this battle. You made it easier for us and your help and guidance will always be remembered.

We would like to thank Dr. Wong and the staff at the Cancer Care Ward at St. Boniface Hospital. The caring and compassion Sandy received made things easier and the nurses are the best in a tough situation. You made Sandy feel special, thank you.

A celebration of Sandy’s life was held at Thomson “In the Park” Funeral Home, 1291 McGillivray Blvd. on Friday July 12, 2013 at 2pm.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Sandy’s name to Cancer Care Manitoba, 675 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9.

Eulogy by Paul Beauregard:

I am Paul Beauregard. I am the Chief Administrative Officer at MTS, and also the Corporate Secretary. I came after Peter. So I guess you could say Sandy was both of our bosses.

Dean asked me to share some insight into what Sandy did for a living. Sandy would talk a lot about the people at her job, but would never actually talk about what her job was. That isn’t surprising. Sandy’s job was one of real importance. She always knew the most confidential information in the Company. She was a guardian of corporate secrets. Sandy never spoke of these things and did not bring her work home with her. And that is hard thing to pull off – to tell your family you are working late, or out of town, or thru holidays and not to be able to explain why.

I am going to break Sandy’s vow of silence. Today, I am here to tell you the story of “MTS Sandy”.

MTS Sandy was our Board Services Manager. What’s that? Think of it this way: MTS is a public company with shareholders. These shareholders elect directors to oversee the company’s management. It was Sandy’s job to oversee our board, and make sure they did the many things that needed to do … So …. now that I think of it, Sandy was my boss’s bosses’ boss.

Dean asked me to spend 5 to 10 minutes sharing work stories with you. I’ll do my best to keep this short. But Dean didn’t realize that, like Peter, I am used to billing by the hour. So sometimes these things take a wee bit longer, so please bear with me. These are “5 lawyer minutes”, not “5 normal person minutes”.

Today, I am going to tell you the four things you need to know about MTS Sandy.

First thing you need to know about MTS Sandy: Sandy was everyone’s best friend

Sandy was incredibly busy. She had a huge workload. But somehow – despite all that she needed to do – muchto my chagrin, Sandy found time to be everyone’s best friend. Sandy had a way of getting people to talk about themselves … I have never said this before, but my inner monologue has often mused that Sandy’s office was more like a confessional booth than a work area. She just had a way of getting people to open up to her, and trusting her with their innermost secrets. In the morning, I would drop by for a 3 minute discussion on a work-related matter, and the next thing I know I have walked out, I am bleary-eyed, the sun has already set, and I realized I have given her my medical charts, my PIN number, told her all of my unresolved mommy issues, and gave her my passport for safekeeping.

Despite her ability to suck so much information out of everyone (and remember all the details), Sandy was categorically not a gossip. Maybe that was part of her magic skill set – nobody would ever say to Sandy “oh, don’t tell anyone”. Everyone just knew she wouldn’t talk about it. It also isn’t that she had these interrogation sessions … uhhh, sorry – did I say “interrogation sessions”? I meant, water cooler chat … it isn’t that she had these water cooler chats for the sake of just collecting information. Not at all. She was asking questions because she genuinely and sincerely cared about everyone around her.

Sandy had a gift of connecting with people no matter what their background. Rich, poor, smart, not-so-smart, the cool kids, the geeks, the athletes and the couch potatoes … and all of us in between.

Here is what I would guess: Most people only meet a handful of people during their life that they consider soul mates. I bet most of you (and there a lot of you out there today) – most of you think Sandy was one of your soul mates. Think about that.

Best friends like Sandy are really rare

Second thing you need to know about MTS Sandy: Sandy was a world class cat herder

A big part of MTS Sandy’s job was to ensure that everyone showed up at the right time for our Board meetings. In the past week, several Board members commented to me that Sandy was the world’s best cat herder. I have to disagree. Herding cats is much easier than what Sandy had to do. MTS has the best board of directors in Manitoba, and possibly in Canada. The men and women who serve on the board are pillars of the communities, titans of industry, philanthropists and each one of them is the smartest person in the room. I am sure you can figure out where I am heading: these are the hardest kind of people to herd. But she did it, month after month after month. For years. One director lovingly referred to her, and I quote “a bossy little thing”. These is some truth to that, and it was meant it in the nicest possible way. Sandy needed to be that way to keep the trains running on time, and run on time they did.

When MTS became a national company and started holding Board meetings in Toronto, things were kind of in disarray. These metaphorical trains were not running on time. The well-oiled machine had seized up. It didn’t take long for them to figure out why – Sandy wasn’t there!!!! It took people a while to figure out the solution – just make sure Sandy comes to Toronto, because we need someone to tell us what to do, tell us what to think, and ensure we cats get herded. Sandy was a regular part of every Toronto board meeting ever since.

I do shake my head when I think about this. Who in their right mind has no fear of authority? A normal person would. I would. But not Sandy. Sandy possessed the courage and self-confidence of a giant. Ohhhhh, don’t even think you could ever tell Sandy what to do. Oh, and my god, every time I tried to that, as anyone on our floor would tell you, it ended very badly for me

Third thing you need to know about MTS Sandy: She was a sucker for kids

If Sandy were superwoman, kids were her kryptonite.

MTS Sandy knew everything about everyone’s kids (especially babies), and made sure everyone knew about her kids and her grandkids. She talked about you so much. There is a big group of people here today that feel they know you so well.

Heaven forbid anyone shows up with their kids on our floor! If you turned your back, she has kidnapped the kid, cuddled with them, brought them into the candy room, stuffed them full of chocolate, and is pushing them around on a magical metal cart giving them rides across the floor. You had to pry back your own kid.

I was really quite stressed every time my own two kids came in. I would see Sandy treating them soooo well, with so much love and attention and respect and doting … those are all things I am simply unable to provide to my own kids. Each time, my mind would start racing … what if my kids start to expect this kind of love? I can’t compete with Sandy! She is just making me look bad! Panic sets in, and I make up work emergencies to distract Sandy, then I grab the kids and get out of there!

Lots of kids, including my own, will have the fondest childhood memories of MTS Sandy

Fourth (and last) thing you need to know about MTS Sandy: She was our career counselor and life coach

You already know MTS Sandy was a great listener. But I don’t want to mislead you that Sandy just sat there silently nodding your head as you spilled your secrets. Oh, no. It turns out Sandy missed her calling as a career counselor or life coach. She had advice for everyone – how to manage your personal life, how to organize your career, how to raise your kids, what to buy your spouse for special occasions (yes, Jen you don’t actually think those gifts were my ideas, do you!), what was on sale at Canadian Tire in the flyer that I needed to buy, what was new at Costco (especially if on coupon – a new product plus a coupon on Costco was basically a national holiday!), what kinds of brines to use for a deep fried turkey – she had advice for everything – including for me, how I should be doing my job.

MTS Sandy could have easily had her own syndicated talk show. That would have been the best reality TV ever.

The problem with all this advice was that, well, it had the annoying tendency of always being right. Which was all the more annoying when advice she is giving was telling my other staff about other job postings … “Hey this job would be great for you … that job would be great for you …” . I had to go into Sandy’s confessional booth to yell at her – oh, did I say “confessional booth”, I meant “office”. Anyway, I had to go into Sandy’s office and say “Seriously, Sandy you got to stop doing this. That person is a great employee – surely one of my best - and you are encouraging that person to leave my group! I am really not happy about this.”

I am sure you know how this ends. Nobody could tell Sandy what to do. Particularly if she knew she was right. So Sandy looks me square in the eyes, says “Paul you are so wrong here and don’t stick your nose in this”, and throws me out of her confessional both. I mean “office”.

MTS Sandy – or shall we call her “Oprah” – had a passion to help others. She was the best career counselor and best life coach. Ever.

The hook is going to pull me away

Okay – time to wrap this up. And this is probably the time where I am going to fall apart. If MTS Sandy could talk now, she would be yelling down me to hold it together, because MTS Sandy didn’t want any pity or sympathy or tears.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to spend my life around people who are passive, or don’t think, or won’t speak their mind or challenge the status quo. I want to be around people who have a passion for life, love their jobs, and always have views and opinions. Particularly people who have great views and well-considered opinions.

And that was MTS Sandy …proof that a single, passionate person can

• change the dynamic of a workplace

• make a company a better company

• make so many positive changes in the lives of those around her, and make our community – our world – a better place

So let’s rejoice in what Sandy meant to all of us. Best friend. The person who kept us on track. The person who took such good care of our kids. Career counselor. Life coach. Even when you did not want the coaching, but that’s when you needed to hear it the most! I know we are all mourning today – let’s make sure we take this opportunity to also celebrate and cherish the life of a truly incredible lady who touched us all.

I courage everyone to go have fun this weekend. Go to the lake, the beach or a patio or even your backyard. Have a glass of wine. Be with your friends and family. That is what Sandy would want us all to do.

Dean and the rest of the family – thanks for letting me share these stories today.

Sandra Lee Hughes

January 8, 1959 to July 7, 2013

(by Peter J Falk)

Thank you, Reverend Donna Joy, for your introduction:

I am honored to remember the life of Sandy to you on behalf of her husband Dean; their children and grandchildren; Sandy’s greater family, relatives and honored guests.

While in many ways, last Sunday, July 7th, the day when Sandy passed into the next life, was a VERY SAD day. . . today we want to celebrate her 54 years by reliving for a few moments Sandy’s outstanding character, and paying tribute to her many positive contributions during those years. I will present this tribute primarily from notes provided by Dean, the children, and some of her siblings and friends, but also from my personal experience in working with her in the law firm and at MTS between 1995 until 2011.

Delivering these memories is a very sad event, but can also be a celebration, so I hope you will be okay if I sprinkle in a little humor here and there.

First, let’s look into Sandy’s life chronologically – this will also provide us with the context for knowing who this wonderful person Sandy was relationally;

Chronological Overview:

Sandy was born on January 8, 1959 in Winnipeg, the 2nd of 4 children of Keith and Betty McLean. She was the middle of 3 girls and the 4rth was a brother. Other than for a few years when they lived in Oakville, Manitoba, she grew up in Transcona, and there attended elementary school across the street, until the age of 13, when they moved to the country in the R.M. of Springfield near Dugald. It was while in Transcona that she made several close friends-for-life . . . you will hear about them later in the program.

Sandy completed her junior high and high school at Springfield Collegiate in Oakbank. Sandy was enterprising, and took her first job at what is now A&W at Deacons Corner at the age of 16, and then proceeded after grade Xll graduation to obtain legal secretary training, completed her practicum at Pitblado & Hoskin, and began her life long career in law at 18 in 1977 as a legal assistant and paralegal.

At 21, Sandy was married to Dean Hughes on September 19, 1981. In 1984, Sandy gave birth to Brad, in 1987, Brent and in 1988, Corey, all in Winnipeg. These 3 boys, together with Dean, and particularly the absence of a daughter, would change her life forever!

Just to reflect then for a moment on how this picture of Sandy’s life unfolds: she was a middle sister, a country girl, a career in law, and a family involving Dean and these 3 boys . . . can you imagine the strength of character required to survive going forward??

Sandy followed Dean’s employment location change to Calgary in 1988 where they lived until 1994 when they returned to Winnipeg. While in Calgary, Sandy both raised her young family (Oh Dean, I am sure you helped too, but this is her day!) and she continued her work as a legal assistant in a prestigious law firm, and at times holding down another job.

After returning to Winnipeg in 1994, Sandy returned to the same Pitblado legal firm where she began her career in law. She now had accumulated 17 years of experience, primarily in the area of family law and litigation.

In 1995 my legal assistant of 22 years, also at Pitblado, decided she had enough of me. I was looking for the absolutely best there was, to replace the best I had! Sandy worked in litigation on another floor and I needed someone for my business and securities practice. Except for the drastic change from litigation to a business law practice, Sandy checked out perfectly in all other respects. My radar told me she was smart, had a great attitude, liked to work, and could make the significant switch – and that she did with flying colors. In the next 15 months, we closed some very significant transactions, including the privatization of MTS from being owned by the Province to becoming a publically traded Company. You can only imagine the challenge to which Sandy harnessed up; long hours, weekends, etc. She thrived on the challenge, and I couldn’t have been better served – my clients thought Sandy was awesome. All the while, she never skipped a beat as a Mom and a wife to Dean.

In 1997, an opportunity was presented to me to work in the executive suite of MTS – the company Sandy and I had advised on privatization a year earlier. I couldn’t have imagined moving out of my busy practice to MTS without Sandy. Persuading her wasn’t a given. Sandy loved the law office, and was quite wary of assuming an executive position that would involve a number of portfolios and include serving as the corporate secretary’s assistant. I negotiated an attractive compensation package for her and the rest was history – we began at MTS on February 2, 1998 where she worked for 15 years, most recently as Board Services Manager, until this dreadful disease claimed her life.

Sandy’s Mother and Father both just preceded her in February and July of 2012.

My successor at MTS, Paul Beauregard, will share with you her MTS work experience during the last few years following my retirement in 2011.

Now; moving on from Sandy’s life chronologically to Sandy’s character:

In recent discussions with Dean, her children, sister, friends and others, I have chosen to present Sandy’s character to you mainly in the form of ….“Slightly edited and slightly screened quotes”…... don’t worry, I will honor privacy and won’t mention any names but, in some cases, it will be fairly obvious who may have stated them. Some of Sandy’s character and relational traits that I am about to relate to you won’t surprise you, having just journeyed through her life chronologically and highlighting her accomplishments. I will unfold these character traits based on several periods in Sandy’s life:

First, before marrying Dean

“Sandy was a bit of a rebel as a child, independent and strong willed as she matured. When she decided something was or wasn’t going to happen, it did or didn’t happen in accordance with her direction”

“one day her father noticed the police at the school yard across the street from their home; low and behold, they were there to retrieve Sandy off the school roof where she was recovering lacrosse balls….mind you, I must add, she was never really bad”

“Sandy had a special ability to become friends with people very quickly and in many cases, those friends were long term and treated very special by her, they would travel to Calgary to visit Sandy”

“Sandy was never afraid of anything, was very smart, and had a lot of confidence, a mind of her own; she was like her father”

“I know my parents loved her to pieces, and even when Sandy later got preoccupied with her own family, they never stopped talking about her at family functions”

“She was a talented musician, grew up playing an accordion; we heard her play piano and strum a guitar, without having taken any training”

“She was mischievous beginning as a young child; once painting the stairs at their family home a designer orange color with paint she found somewhere”

Next, after Marrying Dean

“Sandy was the captain of our ship, the safe haven in every storm and the map that guided us when we seemed lost”

“Sandy talked to me a lot about good times when she was a child and it was always stories about things done with friends”

“Sandy was an excellent judge of character”

“Sandy was not materialistic and wanting for nothing but her family and friends”

“While always well dressed, her Christmas bonus would be money to increase her wardrobe in thrifty post-Christmas sales shopping”

“Sandy retained the instincts of a person who had grown up in the country, but became a city girl”

“When we were married, at first Sandy did not appreciate the outdoors, she was refined, and as I would say, liked girly things – she was my “Princess”

“That city girl Sandy had her smooth edges roughed up by 4 males after marrying one and giving birth to 3 more. She even called her boy a dog!”

“She was a spectacular mom, and did everything for her boys. This included being a serious hockey Mom, never missing “coach’s corner” and spending countless hours driving the kids and standing in cold arenas supporting her boys”

At first, Sandy didn’t like the idea of a cabin at the lake, but it became her “happy place” because there she could leave life behind to be with her boys and friends”

Sandy was never comfortable around water …. But to be with her boys, it didn’t take long before she spent hours in the boat tubing, wake-boarding and fishing. She learned to drive the boat, handle the ski rope and on occasion ride the tube. You could hear her scream all over the lake for her fear of falling in the water. But for her boys . . . anything”

“Much to my delight, Sandy took up snowmobiling, following her leader with reckless abandon; she graduated from a beginner to a pro in short order, and then complained her sled was too slow. We did a lot of riding as couples, and as men, forgetting the darkening hour, would have to return at night from some distant destination ~ Sandy was a great trouper and always made these night returns trouble free. On one such occasion after riding at night for an hour or more, she stopped. When asked how it was going, she exclaimed “I don’t have my glasses, I can’t see a thing, except the red tail-light of the sled ahead of me” ~ we knew then that she was a “true sledder”

“Sandy loved to cook and would spend days pouring over recipe books looking for the perfect menu; even if only for the two of us, the effort was the same. This evolved sharing her tips and recipes with her two new daughters (in-law) Nicole and Yvette, although on occasion, rumor has it, she would omit telling them of the secret ingredient”

Now, some remembrance after the arrivals of 3 Grandchildren

“Justice arrived on her doorstep when Nicole delivered their 1rst grandchild; a girl had finally arrived in their family – it was the last time I heard her fussing about having a grandchild before turning age 50”

“The most important thing in her life – Sandy was so pleased that Brad and Brent found the perfect love of their life and started their own families. “Wanting for nothing” as I said earlier, took on a new slant – I had to constantly remind her to stop buying things for the grandchildren”

“Shopping days with Emma, the oldest grandchild, now age 4, became “Girls Day” and Sandy was so excited when she was permitted to have Emma’s ears pierced”

“Sandy didn’t get to spend much time with her two new grandsons Cale and Kane, as she was already sick, but she loved them so much and was so proud that her sons got to have their own little boys – she directed me to make sure the grandchildren won’t forget her”

d) Now, Regarding You Dean; I am sure you won’t mind this privacy breach

“When asked by the boys how we met: it appears there was a competition for each other; Sandy thinks she got my attention when a few buttons somehow popped off her blouse and she leaned over in front of me: I thought I had her attention after spending a whole pay cheque at the bar with her buying drinks: since I get to tell the last story, the fact is her first smile lit up the room and I fell in love with her at first sight”

“Sandy has a very special relationship with my Mom Audrey, here today, and my Dad, now deceased; she was a favorite of my Dad; he only gave nicknames to people he loved; Sandy’s nickname was “Squeak” (Dean, does that imply “thrifty”?). We spent many vacations and weekends with my parents”

“Sandy told me that our first grandchild – Emma – had made me a softer person (Dean, does that mean you gained weight?) and that we were fortunate to have a granddaughter first; so we could experience and love the things we didn’t get a chance to do having had only boys”

“Sandy was the most beautiful person in our lives and I was a better person for having had the pleasure of enjoying her for 32 years. She and I had a special relationship – she was my best friend – she molded me into who I am and taught me how to love and enjoy”

3) Now, From My Own Perspective Working with Sandy for 16 years

There were some who would say “Sandy knew no Boss and she never worked for anyone”. But yours truly was up to the challenge. You will have noticed throughout that I used the term “working together”. I often wondered what term or terms you might have used Dean? Others who viewed our working relationship would remember it as dynamic, unique, and were quite envious ….. it worked, and worked extremely well – together we were very productive.

News of Sandy’s passing last Sunday generated many emails to me, now several years after my retirement, both from clients in my former practice some 14 years ago, and from the highest level in the Company past and present, each containing a significant tribute to Sandy, some of which read:

“I know you had a tremendous working relationship with Sandy – I too enjoyed working with her enormously. Please convey my condolences and indicate how much I enjoyed working with her. She was a tremendous support to me at MTS (particularly after your retirement) and a joy to work with. I will miss her very much, both professionally and personally.”

“I am deeply saddened by the news. Sandy was obviously a very special person and I remember her great sense of humor and loyalty to you”

“Sandy was appreciated by our Board and executives. She will be missed and we will remember her not only for her dedication to our Company and for the strength of her character but also for her smile and how she enjoyed spending time with her family. Peter, you were a solid guide and mentor for her and as a team you accomplished lots at MTS“

“I’m terribly sad. I know how closely you worked with her for so many years and am sure this is a huge loss for you. My thoughts and prayers are with Sandy and her family”

“I know Sandy was very special. She had a really big heart and I’m sure she will be greatly missed by many. Even though it has been a few years since I have last seen her, I can hear her voice in my head, with that slight southern twang, likely saying something like “That Peter!” with both fondness and a hint of frustration imbedded therein. Those days were good ones in my memories….”

Now to Some Very Specific Items that Cannot Go Unstated:

Sandy so badly wanted to go with Dean on some southern vacations. This spring, between Sandy’s treatments and poor health periods, they took the opportunity to go for a week to Cuba and then to Mexico. There they shared their lives and enjoyed each other in the sun ….. these will be lasting memories for Dean. The family is so grateful that they had this opportunity.

Sandy had a very special person in her life commonly referred to in the McLean family as “Aunty Pat”, from Vancouver – she is here today, and said “I would have given my life in the place of Sandy’s’ ”. Sandy confided in her when she most needed help; “more than anyone, Aunty Pat knew everything”. Auntie Pat and her deceased husband Uncle Don have 2 children Donna and Michael who are unable to be here today.

To Conclude:

From my lengthy 16 year working experience with Sandy, 1rst at the law firm of Pitblado beginning in 1995 and then at MTS beginning in 1998 until 2011, I would characterize Sandy as a person who was driven to serve, focused, self-motivated, having integrity and always wanting to do the right thing, was black and white (almost to her own fault), professional, and a most committed and conscientious employee. She was always eager to work and ploughed through the trenches, regardless of circumstances. She was very intelligent, pleasant and thoughtful. I will miss her.

Finally, please permit me two closing comments:

It hurts us all when someone of her caliber passes too early in life; And particularly for Dean, you will miss your mate of 32 years and be lonely. For the children, you will each miss all the things that this great Mom did for you, and for the grandchildren, they will regrettably not know what they will be missing. The thoughts and prayers of all in attendance here today will continue with each of you as you endeavor to rebalance your lives without Sandy.

During our working career, Sandy and I would from time to time discuss virtually everything, including life after death and my faith in Jesus Christ. I spoke yesterday with Rolly Laing in Calgary, Sandy’s former employer while she worked there as legal assistant between 1988 and 1994, whom she highly respected. He and I held similar privileged and trusted positions in relation to Sandy spiritually. We entrusted to her the faith information we provided to her; that is personal between her and her Creator. God is the giver of each breathe in our lives, beginning with the miracle that happens at the birth of every child. It will remain a mystery why Sandy’s life ended so early, except that we know it was attributable to the dreadful decease of cancer. Her unfathomable pain ended last Sunday. Our encouragement at this time of grieving Sandy’s loss, particularly to Dean and your children and grandchildren, is that the Bible indicates that life does not cease upon physical death. By the grace of God, I trust that Sandy is now in a better place.

Thank-you for this opportunity to share Sandy’s life with you.

Peter J. Falk

July 12, 2013

* * * * * * * * * *

After a short but courageous battle with cancer and with her family beside her Sandy peacefully passed on, July 7, 2013.

Left forever to cherish Sandy’s memory are her husband Dean and three sons, Brad (Yvette), Brent (Nicole), Cory and three grandchildren Emma, Cale and Kane. Sandy will also be remembered by her mother-in-law Audrey, brother Brian and sister Janice (Dan), sister-in-law Shannon (Ross) and many nieces and nephews. Sandy was predeceased by her parents Keith and Betty McLean and father in law Calvin.

Sandy was married to Dean September 19, 1981 and together they started their life journey, creating their own family along the way. Sandy’s family was the most important thing in her life and she was so proud of her three boys.

As time passed Sandy got the girls she always wanted when Nicole and Yvette joined the family. She always said she was blessed to have such beautiful daughters to look after her boys.

Nothing in life was more important to Sandy then her grandchildren and she was so proud to be a grandmother.

Sandy had a second family and they were the people she worked with at MTS. She was very proud of her role at work and the things she helped accomplish. Sandy couldn’t and didn’t talk about what her job entailed but she did talk about the people and how special they were to her and she developed many close friendships at work.

Sandy was a hard worker and she tackled any challenge presented to her. Those traits carried into her personal life as she guided her family through life.

Sandy was always helping friends and family using her ability to plan and navigate through tough situations.

Sandy loved her time off work and she loved spending her free time with a house full of people, preparing meals and enjoying each other’s company. Many close friendships were developed while enjoying one of Sandy’s fabulous meals.

Sandy had many childhood friends who were very important to her throughout her life. There were her “Three Angels”, who she loved dearly and without their help the battle with cancer would have been so much harder. She always looked forward to their visits and they always brought a smile to her face that would carry us through some tough times.

Sandy’s family would like to thank the many people that touched Sandy’s life and were special to her and her family. Peter your passion and drive helped mold Sandy into the force that she was and your love and care carried her throughout her life.

Thank you to the people at MTS and Imperial Steel Products, who were so helpful and caring as we dealt with this battle. You made it easier for us and your help and guidance will always be remembered.

We would like to thank Dr. Wong and the staff at the Cancer Care Ward at St. Boniface Hospital. The caring and compassion Sandy received made things easier and the nurses are the best in a tough situation. You made Sandy feel special, thank you.

A celebration of Sandy’s life was held at Thomson “In the Park” Funeral Home, 1291 McGillivray Blvd. on Friday July 12, 2013 at 2pm.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Sandy’s name to Cancer Care Manitoba, 675 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9.