Sandra Norene Sorsdahl

Sandy was born in Papakura, New Zealand on January 29, 1947 to Laura and Norman Kernot. Despite being small for her age, Sandy was a natural leader and often organized and directed neighbourhood children twice her size while they played. Her mom affectionately thought of her as a little sergeant.

Before she was six years old, Sandy had already crossed the Pacific Ocean between Canada and New Zealand three times – twice by propeller airplane and once by ocean liner. These early trips may have sparked Sandy’s love of travel. The common theme for her chosen destinations was warm temperatures – the only exception being a cruise to Alaska with her friend, Rae.

Family was very important to Sandy. In addition to her devoted support for her mother, sister, and niece, she actively maintained relationships with relatives in New Zealand. Sandy treasured family items that held sentimental and historic meaning, and donated several pieces of her memorabilia along with photos and written reports related to them, to the Western Development Museum where the items are preserved for generations to come. She also transcribed her mother’s memories about growing up on a farm near Estevan during the ‘dirty thirties’ and coming of age during the Second World War.

After graduating high school, Sandy firmly rejected teaching as a career option. She completed a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Regina and worked as a copy writer for Sears. Friends and family members came to rely on Sandy’s writing and editing skills. She would later use these skills as a student at the University of Saskatchewan where she earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in education. Time would prove that teaching was Sandy’s true calling: in her long teaching career, she found purpose, challenge, satisfaction, and met many wonderful colleagues who became close friends.

The highlight of Sandy’s career was working as a resource teacher at Lakeview Elementary School in Saskatoon. She was dedicated to her students and their families and advocated tenaciously for her students’ needs. She often worked with the same students throughout their years of elementary school. Over those years, she developed strong bonds with the students and their families. Parents expressed their gratitude to Sandy in cards and letters that spoke of how she gave their child self-confidence and a love of reading, and the positive impact this made on their home lives. Sandy was honored to receive invitations from some of her former students to special occasions in their lives, including a bat mitzvah, several high school graduations, and a wedding.

In addition to teaching, Sandy had a second career as an Avon representative. What began as a hobby grew in time to be a true source of community for her. Over several decades, Sandy mentored women starting their Avon journeys. She built many close friendships with her customers and the representatives on her team. She was thrilled when she qualified for and attended a conference in California for top leadership achievers.

Sandy was the rock of our family, offering comfort, support, and advice whenever asked – and sometimes even when not asked! She was the person we turned to first in challenging times. In her absence, we turn to each other for support, and to share our cherished memories of her. She will be dearly missed.

Sandy is survived by her sister Robyn Kernot, niece Meritt Kularatne (Mithum), best friend Rae Vogel (David LeBoutillier), and Dennis Coulter. She leaves behind countless friends from her teaching career and her Avon community, as well as neighbours. Let us find comfort in knowing she is now free and at peace. Sandy’s loved ones wish to express their gratitude to Dr. M. McKague, and those who supported Sandy at Circle Drive Place, Aspira Hunter Village Care Home, and St. Paul’s Hospital.

A Celebration of Sandra’s Life will be at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 7, 2023 at Windsor Chapel (704 Windsor Street, Saskatoon).

Memorial donations in Sandra’s memory may be made to Saskatoon Friendship Inn (619 20th Street West, Saskatoon, SK S7M 0X8).

Arrangements entrusted to Aime Laventure.