Sandra Hornsby (Gendall, nee Van Moorlehem) passed away peacefully in her bed, surrounded by family and friends, after a short but valiant fight with pancreatic cancer.
She is survived by her husband Brook, children Shelley Olafson (Chris), Danna Gendall (Brad) and Monty Gendall (Cheryl), stepsons Reg, Rodger and Robert (LeeAnn), her mother Lorena Van Moorlehem, her sisters Linda Holliday, Brenda Laing, and Elaine Van Moorlehem, a large family of nieces, nephews, uncles and aunts, and her five grandchildren: Carson, Kiana, Julia, River and Brooklyn. She is predeceased by her father Albert, her brother Wayne, and Gary, the father of Shelley, Danna and Monty.
Sandra was born on December 7, 1944 in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, and grew up on the farm outside Keeler, Saskatchewan.
After high school, Sandra obtained her teacher’s certificate. As a teacher, Sandra made a difference in the lives of hundreds of children in many different schools. Her influence was felt in many provinces as the family moved to Saskatoon, Calgary, Macoun, Dalmeny, back to Saskatoon and finally to Chilliwack.
Although Sandra was a great teacher, she herself never stopped learning, going back to school to obtain her Bachelor of Education in 1986.
Sandra was known for her optimism, positive spirit and loving smile, traits that were renewed when she married Brook in 1996.
After they both retired, Brook and Sandra never stopped moving, traveling wherever the notion struck, by truck and trailer, plane and boat. They have seen North America from end to end to end, traveling from Mexico to Alaska, British Columbia to Newfoundland. They traveled half way around the world and back on their trip to New Zealand and Australia. At almost every stop, they had old friends to visit; where they did not, they simply met new ones. Wherever she went, Sandra’s hands were always busy working on a quilt, each one a work of art.
Sadly, Sandra’s adventures were cut short when she was diagnosed with cancer. Although she could no longer visit her friends, her family and friends all came to her. Throughout it all she proved an inspiration, never wavering in her optimism, courage and commitment to her family.
The family would like to thank everyone, professional or volunteer, who helped her, and us, in her fight.
A service will be held Saturday April 7, 2007 at Woodlawns Funeral Chapel at 2:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to the Canadian Cancer Society.