ROSS, Sandra (Sandy) Sylvia - Of Guelph, passed away at St. Joseph’s Health Centre on Thursday, January 23, 2025, at the age of 71.
Loved mother of Gord (Keva) and Samantha (Ammar). Loving grandmother of Jack and Josh, Mai, Zain, and Deen. Dear sister of Norman and Susan (Lenny), predeceased by Bobby and David. Predeceased by her parents Bob and Sylvia, her special person, Sophie Stanley “Nanny Brown”, aunt, and uncles. Also survived by her niece and nephews, great-niece and great-nephews, aunt, uncles, cousins, and many friends and fellow salvationists.
Avidly loved tea with 2 cream!
Sandy was born in Montreal, Quebec on January 11, 1954 - the 3rd child and oldest daughter of five. She was a devoted mother, daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, cousin, and friend. She married after high school and had her son and daughter who she adored and selflessly mentored through all their stages of life so far. Sandy came to the Lord shortly after moving to Mississauga in May of 1984. Upon becoming a soldier in The Salvation Army at Mississauga Temple, her ministry began with teaching a Sunday school class to pre-teens, and grew into working with the young mom’s support group, leading women’s ministries, leading youth group, running summer day camp, catering weddings, ministering on the coffee truck in Toronto late at night, leading Stephen Ministries, various bible studies, camps, and retreats, sitting on corps counsel and census board. Sandy made many lifetime friendships along the way. She later ran family services in Milton. Sandy was a lifelong learner, earning her Certificate of Christian Counselling, and spending +15 years attending Booth Bible College and Ontario Christian College part-time to earn her Bachelor’s degree. Major Sandy answered the call to officership serving in social service ministries at various appointments as a chaplain around Mississauga, Toronto, and New Market, including at a family shelter, a jail, and an addictions treatment centre, and a women’s shelter before retiring.
On top of all of her ministries, Sandy was dedicated to and adored by her large and tight-knit family. She especially loved hosting and planning large family gatherings, which often included many additional family friends. She was always planning presents, food, and board games for upcoming gatherings, taking great care to make sure all the dishes each person would want were included and served the way they liked it, and anyone who needed a comfortable seat had one. She loved her grandchildren more than anything in the world, and enjoyed each of their distinct personalities and ensured they had extended sleepovers together at her house usually with matching or coordinated pajamas and a present or memorable family outing each day. She raised her kids with a flare for humor, singing she insisted is sweet by the time it gets to heaven, and a strong sense of right and wrong, responsibility, commitment, and making sure to leave the world in a better place. She loved to visit and talk on the phone with her children, grandchildren, parents, siblings, niece and nephews, and their children. Sandy had many deep and lasting friendships. She cherished her friends like family. Sandy jumped into action whenever anyone needed a helping hand, a conversation, encouragement, a smile, a hug, a listening ear, a ride, or a prayer no matter how tired she felt.
Over the last three years at St Joseph’s Healthcare Centre when her health was especially deteriorating, Sandy became an avid crafter, and a resident advocate. She loved participating in the activities and had a gift for finding residents who needed encouragement to become involved. She helped the chaplain with some services and enjoyed the gardens and visits from the Guelph corps officers.
Sandy was a visionary who prayed faithfully, and acted on what she felt the Lord was guiding her to do. She was soft yet strong, and had a way of calling those around her into action. To know Sandy is to know that her body failed her more and more in complex ways over the past 39 of her 71 years, but through her strong faith and determination, and in building relationships through kindness, fairness, and encouragement, much can be accomplished. She impressed and amazed people wherever she went with her tenacity, strength, and unwavering faith.
“but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31
Cremation has taken place. Arrangements entrusted to the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL 519-822-0051 / www.wallcustance.com.
Memorial contributions to Arthritis Society Canada.
A tree will be planted in memory of Sandra S. Ross in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest.