It is with great sadness that the family of Theresa Sandul announces her passing in Sudbury on Tuesday, September 29th, 2020. She was the loving daughter of the late Philéas and late Yvonne Barbeau (née Leblanc), beloved wife of the late Jim Sandul, cherished mother of Judy Kosmerly (Jerry), JoAnne, and Susan Sandul (Christopher), and loving grandmother of Stacey (Dante) and Shawn (Matti). She was the dear sister of Rose-Marie (late Michael), Roger (Arlene) and André, and was predeceased by her siblings Alfred, Gérald (Claire), Émile (Pauline), Philippe (Jane), Victor, Estelle (Pierre) and Sister Laura.
Born and raised in Sudbury, Theresa was the eldest daughter in the Barbeau family. She attended high school both in Sudbury and at Rideau Convent in Ottawa and graduated from the Commercial Science and Training Institute with high marks in a bilingual commercial programme. Having started office work at the age of 17 with the Sudbury Streetcar Company, Theresa left home at 18, and created an independent life for herself at a time when it was not the norm for women. Following her own oft-repeated adage, “To thine own self be true,” Theresa lived life on her own terms. She worked, sang in church choirs, and was crowned Carnival Queen in a local competition when she was 20, which included a trip to New York sponsored by the St. Louis Club. Her verve, style and fashion sense made her stand out from the crowd throughout her life.
Theresa met James (Jim) Sandul when they were both working, and they fell in love and married in 1951. In the early years of their marriage, they moved to Toronto where Theresa worked for Adam Hats and the Toronto District Office of the Civil Service Commission, while Jim studied to become a health inspector. Returning to Sudbury, they built a home, a life, and a family together. Theresa gave birth to three daughters: Judy, Susan and JoAnne.
When asked what had most attracted her to Jim, Theresa replied, without hesitation, that he made her laugh. And what a memorable laugh she had! Infectious and exuberant, her laughter could even be sparked toward the end of her life by a good joke or some clever political satire. Her daughters often joked that Theresa laughed “in high C,” a testament to her beautiful soprano singing voice. She often sang for and with family and friends, and performed in church, club and concert settings to enthralled audiences (she once sang the national anthem at a hockey game at Madison Square Garden). Certainly, anyone who ever heard Theresa sing Avé Maria – her signature piece – was invariably left teary-eyed.
Music and enjoyment played a large part in Theresa’s life; many family members and friends have recalled the unforgettable parties she and Jim hosted over the years, both at their home and at their ‘camp’ on Ramsey Lake. They loved to entertain as a team, ensuring their guests ate heartily and had a good time. Always ready to welcome others into their home, they attracted a wide and eclectic circle of loyal friends.
Theresa and Jim also loved to travel, learn about different countries, and interact with the locals. Their first trip to Acapulco, Mexico inspired a life-long passion for the city and its people. After Jim’s heart-breaking death in 1987, Theresa began to spend winters there, forming deep and lasting friendships and becoming actively involved in Padre Angel’s children’s orphanage (Casa Hogar del Nino), where she taught English to young girls. Fluent in English, French and Spanish, Theresa shared her love of the Mexican people and their culture with family and friends whom she generously hosted in her ‘second home’ in Acapulco. When she was not in Mexico, she served as a volunteer for the Sudbury Laurentian Hospital, creating flower arrangements to assist with funding for medical equipment, and was named a Lifetime Member of the Ontario Association of Hospital Auxiliaries.
As a mother and grandmother, Theresa had a deep and abiding love for her daughters and grandchildren – and that love was reciprocated. Her support, care and concern for their welfare were unwavering, as was her profound pride in them.
Theresa was many things: charismatic, warm, funny, outspoken and fiercely independent. She loved her family and siblings without reservation. She was ‘larger than life’- feisty and stubborn, loyal and loving, she always remained true to herself. Even toward the end of her life, despite suffering pain and increased limitation, Theresa held to her strong faith, and insisted on remaining in the home that she and Jim built together.
It is with profound sorrow that we mourn the loss of Theresa, whose unique and bright light shone on everyone who ever met, knew and loved her during her long and fruitful life – and these were many. Along with her immediate family, siblings and siblings-in-law, she will be missed by her many nephews and nieces in the Barbeau and Sandul families.
Due to the current pandemic there will be no visitation or service. An interment at the Lasalle Roman Catholic Cemetery will be held at a later date. In memory of Theresa, donations can be made to the Sudbury Food Bank or the Maison McCulloch Hospice. www.cooperativefuneralhome.ca
2020
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Theresa Sandul 2020..
Décès pour la Ville:Sudbury, Province: Ontario