Obituary of Sandra Timleck
In loving remembrance of Sandra (Sunrise: April 9, 1939 to Sunset: April 1, 2021). It is with heavy hearts that we announce the sudden passing of Sandra Elizabeth Timleck at the age of 82 after a courageous battle with cancer. Sandra leaves behind her devoted husband of 60 years, Barry, and was the proud mother of Marci Price (Paul Duville) of Ambergris Caye, Belize, Andrew Timleck of Louisville, Kentucky and Jane Timleck (Jason Stewart) of London, Ontario and the best grandmother to Hannah «Muffin» Romo of London, Ontario. Her family members were everything to her.
Sandra is predeceased by her mother, Aileen Bradley and by her siblings – brother Brock (Danielle Leduc) and sisters Gretchen (Nicholas Smith) and Claire (David Hart). As well, she was the daughter-in-law of Jack and Anne Timleck.
Sandra was the solid foundation for her immediate family and extended family including sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law and the aunt of many nieces and nephews all of whom revered her for her kind disposition and peaceful demeanour. She never had a bad word for anyone
She will be fondly remembered by her childhood friend Jeannie (Engleby) Lorriman, by Jane’s three dear friends Sue (Cy) Naumenko, Barb (Troy) Laroche and Amy (Blair) Tracey and by her chosen granddaughter Talon Kroll.
Sandra made friends very easily since she didn’t have an agenda – just a friendly disposition and a knack to make you feel comfortable. She was a congenial hostess and literally she would have had thousands of visits – yes thousands – from friends, students, associates and far-flung family to her home over the half-century while living there and many became her close friends as evidenced by their kind words, prayers and actions in support of aiding her through her health challenges.
She certainly will be missed by her Park Avenue neighbours wherein there is a close bond of friendship and support that grew throughout the past 51 years of our residency.
Sandra was born in Toronto and grew up in the family home at 33 Victoria Street, Georgetown. She graduated from Georgetown District High School and attended MacDonald Institute at Guelph University for a one year course in Home Economics.
While at GDHS she met Barry skating at the Alcott Arena on Mill Street when she was 15 and he was 16 and the love-light still shines after 66 years together.
When Barry introduced her he always referred to her as «My first wife, Sandra» and it is no secret to family members and friends that Barry affectionately called her «Lois.» And unknown to most she had a freckle on her bottom lip.
Her favourite songs were «The Twelve of Never» by Johnny Mathis followed by «Hallelujah» sung by KD Lang.
She will be remembered for her contribution to the Rotary International Youth Exchange program for being a cordial host mother to students from around the world who while here in Canada for one year, stayed in the home for a period of three months. During her participation she hosted some 19 students from 15 countries.
Of particular note are three unforgettable students. The initial student was Jenny Inglis (1980-1981) from Australia who continued to share Christmas cards every year for 41 years. Next a student from France – Valerie «Lili» Gheysens (2002-2003) who after 10 years graced us with a song that she wrote and sung called «In A Way» and later allowed her three children Alexandre, Mathilde and Emily to be considered Sandra’s «French-Connection» grandchildren. Then there is Rodrigo Mesquita (2004-2005) a student from Brazil whom she called her «Brazilian Son» who has continued to be an integral part of the family for 17 years. He still calls Sandra, «Mommy.»
In 1996 the Rotary Club of Georgetown awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship, the Club’s highest recognition for service in the community to Sandra. It was the very first fellowship ever issued to a non-Rotarian in the history of the Club of 41 years at the time.
Additionally, she participated with a Japanese educational «Home-Stay» program for three consecutive years (1995-1997) by hosting 7 students free gratis. Most students have remained in contact and a very positive outcome is that she is the grandmother of six Japanese pseudo- granddaughters.
As well, Sandra was involved with the Lions Club «Georgetown Bantam Hockey Tournament» by annually billeting four hockey players from Levack starting in 1964 for 17 consecutive years.
Sandra was a very busy volunteer with many organizations in Georgetown over the years including the Canadian Red Cross as the drivers’ coordinator; Georgetown Camera Club as the chair for the annual Photo-Art Exhibition and as the host for the Seniors Showcase local TV production that aired on Cogeco TV Channel 5 for over 18 years.
Sandra was a keen supporter of our Veterans having participated in three «Keeping the Memory Alive» tours to Europe bringing honour and recognition to those veterans that died and to those that dared to die in preserving the peace and freedom that we all enjoy as Canadians. For the past 17 years (2002 – 2019) she was a behind-the-scenes supporter of the annual «Georgetown Candlelight Tributes» initiative to allow some 1,400 students to meet and greet our Veterans each year with ceremonies in Georgetown and Glen Williams.
She had a competitive spirit when it came time to support the Fall Fairs through her entries in the Baking and Photo competitions at the Georgetown Fall Fair, Acton Fall Fair and Erin Fall Fair where she was respected by the Fair members for her annual participation.
Another long-standing competition between her and Barry was counting Verspeeten Cartage Ltd. (green trucks with yellow printing) transport trucks along the 401 when driving to London from Georgetown. The game was inspired by daughter Marci to while away the time when travelling on the 401/402 to Windsor. Over the past 30 years, numbering probably 500 trips or so, when a Verspeeten truck was spotted we would shout «Verspeeten!» and the winner would earn one point. Daughter Jane approached the Verspeeten family to share this story and ask if they would acknowledge Sandra’s 70th Birthday while she sat in one of their big trucks. The family was amazed by the story and Sandra was granted a personalized trip for about an hour riding in an 18-wheeleer along the 401. At the end she was presented with a replica of the transport truck and a Verspeeten hat that she designated as her fishing hat that she wore on numerous occasions with granddaughter Hannah plus 6 fly-in fishing excursions in Northern Ontario, Quebec, Northwest Territories and the bucket-list trip of a lifetime for an 8-day stay at Langara Fishing Lodge at Haida Gwaii in British Columbia. FISH ON!!
Sandra lived by the motto «You Get More Than You Give!» and her contributions of time and talent were honoured by the Georgetown Lions Club when she was recognized jointly with Barry as «Georgetown Citizens of the Year – 2000.»
Sandra was mainly a stay-at-home wife and mother but she was an eager participant when the opportunity to travel and have some fun was presented. She visited every Canadian province plus the Northwest Territories; she travelled to 26 of the 50 States in the U.S.A. and to beautiful Antigua on 28 different occasions plus another 25 countries in the rest of the world – a true ambassador for Canada.
On a trip to Antigua in 1998 she met Neil Buss and his wife Elisabetta from Switzerland. Neil wrote this tribute-poem for Sandra:
Please don’t think of me as a solitary flame in the continuum of time
Remember me for all of our shared memories
Remember me a source of warmth for those I have loved
And remember me as a beacon of light for those I have taught
Please don’t mourn my fading light but celebrate the magic we shared
Tomorrow our flames will be joined and again we will be together
Special thanks go to her doctors Sarah Ferguson, Jennifer Anderson, Kate Pulman, John Iskander and Paul Zeni for their consummate professional care and guidance through this journey and to the Georgetown Hospital doctors and staff, Halton LHIN and Acclaim for nursing and PSW support and Southwest LHIN and Paramed for their attentive personal care of Sandra.
The family acknowledges the loving contribution of Jane, Jay and Hannah who designated their home as an EDITH so that Sandra could have family members care for her at home instead of going in to a hospital/nursing home setting.
Hers was a life lived and one without regret. She will be missed but never forgotten.
As per Sandra’s wish cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Donations may be made in Sandra’s honour to Georgetown Hospital, CAShh, Upper Credit Humane Society or a charity of your choice.
2021
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Sandra Timleck 2021..
Décès pour la Ville:Georgetown, Province: Ontario