Stephen Estabrooks and family
Deepest and sincere condolences to you and all family members. May God be beside you all bringing peace and comfort.
ESTABROOKS, Sandra (Sandi) Joyce
1947 - 2021
Sandra (Sandi) Joyce Estabrooks
August 10, 1947 – October 26, 2021
On Tuesday morning October 26, angels of mercy escorted dear Sandi from her bed at the Perley Health Care Centre to her eternal home. This remarkable woman now enjoys the full life and freedom that heaven provides. Her family and her multitude of friends would want nothing better for her. Her passing leaves all with a sense of loss, but with a myriad of memories and reminisces of the impact she had on all who knew her.
Sandi was born to Lloyd and Jean Estabrooks in Peterborough Ontario on August 10, 1947, the fourth of their six children. At the age of eight she developed juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, a condition that would limit her physical growth but not her indomitable spirit. Sandi’s keen intellect, inquisitive mind, bright personality, and pleasant character carried her through her childhood and teen years and on to her lifelong home in Ottawa. Here she devoted herself to community and reaching out to those around her to provide comfort, care, concern, and counselling to many emotionally and spiritually needy individuals.
Her formal education provided Sandi with a degree in pastoral counselling from St. Paul University which she put to good use within both church and para-church organizations. This saw her work as a missionary of pastoral care with the Presbyterian Church of Canada. Each life that Sandi touched with a word, a smile, a promise, or a prayer gave that individual a sense that, “here was someone in whom I could entrust my thoughts and worries, and doubts and I can be confident that she understands and truly cares for me.”
Sandi’s special connection was with children. Whether they were her own nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, or the little ones of her friends, Sandi loved to entertain by telling stories, singing a song, or dancing with them.
In her later years, prior to entering the Perley, Sandi lived in community at the Cardinus Housing Co-op. Here she developed strong friendships with many of the other residents. Sandi’s interactions, friendliness and bright spirit continually displayed the caring spirit that characterized her life. Sandi was also active in providing valuable input to the worship team of Kitchissippi United Church in Ottawa.
Sandi is survived by her brother Spencer (Irene) of Winnipeg Manitoba, her sister Brenda Moriarity of Bowmanville Ontario, her brother Stephen (Jayne) of Russell Ontario and her brother Stan (Allison) of Metcalfe Ontario. Predeceased by her sister Freda. Sandi will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by her many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews. A special thanks to Matthew and Sarah Jane Estabrooks for their tender care and attendance to Sandi’s needs over the past few years. A depth of gratitude is given to the staff on Ottawa 2 West of the Perley Health Care Centre for their attentive and special care for Sandi.
A celebration of Sandi’s life will be held at Kitchissippi United Church (630 Island Park Dr.) on Saturday, November 13 at 2:00pm. Please note that proof of full COVID vaccination will be required to enter the church. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to either the Arthritis Society (arthritis.ca) or the Sjögren’s Society of Canada (sjogrenscanada.org).
Interment will take place in the Summer of 2022 in Peterborough Ontario.
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