Sandra (Sandi) Joyce Estabrooks (10 août 1947 - 26 octobre 2021)
Le mardi matin 26 octobre, les anges de la miséricorde ont escorté la chère Sandi de son lit au Perley Health Care Centre à sa demeure éternelle. Cette femme remarquable jouit maintenant de la pleine vie et de la liberté que le ciel lui offre. Sa famille et sa multitude d'amis ne voudraient rien de mieux pour elle. Son décès nous laisse tous avec un sentiment de perte, mais avec une myriade de souvenirs et de réminiscences de l'impact qu'elle a eu sur tous ceux qui l'ont connue.
Sandi est née de Lloyd et Jean Estabrooks à Peterborough, en Ontario, le 10 août 1947. Elle était la quatrième de leurs six enfants. À l'âge de huit ans, elle a développé de l'arthrite rhumatoïde juvénile, une condition qui a limité sa croissance physique mais pas son esprit indomptable. L'intelligence vive, l'esprit curieux, la personnalité brillante et le caractère agréable de Sandi lui ont permis de traverser son enfance et son adolescence jusqu'à son domicile d'Ottawa, où elle a vécu toute sa vie. C'est là qu'elle s'est dévouée à la communauté et qu'elle a tendu la main à ceux qui l'entouraient pour apporter du réconfort, des soins, de la sollicitude et des conseils à de nombreuses personnes dans le besoin sur le plan émotionnel et spirituel.
Son éducation formelle a permis à Sandi d'obtenir un diplôme en counselling pastoral de l'Université Saint-Paul, qu'elle a mis à profit au sein d'organisations religieuses et para-ecclésiastiques. C'est ainsi qu'elle a travaillé comme missionnaire en pastorale pour l'Église presbytérienne du Canada. Chaque vie que Sandi a touchée d'un mot, d'un sourire, d'une promesse ou d'une prière a donné à cette personne le sentiment que "voici quelqu'un à qui je peux confier mes pensées, mes soucis et mes doutes et je peux être sûr qu'elle me comprend et se soucie vraiment de moi".
Le lien particulier de Sandi était avec les enfants. Qu'il s'agisse de ses propres neveux et nièces, de ses petits-neveux et nièces ou des enfants de ses amis, Sandi aimait les divertir en leur racontant des histoires, en leur chantant une chanson ou en dansant avec eux.
Dans les dernières années de sa vie, avant d'entrer au Perley, Sandi a vécu en communauté à la Cardinus Housing Co-op. Elle y a noué de solides amitiés avec de nombreux autres résidents. Les interactions, l'amabilité et l'esprit vif de Sandi témoignaient continuellement de l'esprit de bienveillance qui caractérisait sa vie. Sandi a également apporté une contribution précieuse à l'équipe de louange de l'Église unie Kitchissippi d'Ottawa.
Sandi laisse dans le deuil son frère Spencer (Irene) de Winnipeg Manitoba, sa sœur Brenda Moriarity de Bowmanville Ontario, son frère Stephen (Jayne) de Russell Ontario et son frère Stan (Allison) de Metcalfe Ontario. Sa sœur Freda l'a précédée dans la tombe. Sandi manquera beaucoup à ses nombreux neveux et nièces, ainsi qu'à ses petits-neveux et petites-nièces, qui s'en souviendront avec tendresse. Un remerciement spécial à Matthew et Sarah Jane Estabrooks pour leurs tendres soins et leur attention aux besoins de Sandi au cours des dernières années. Une profonde gratitude au personnel d'Ottawa 2 Ouest du Centre de soins de santé Perley pour les soins attentifs et spéciaux qu'ils ont prodigués à Sandi.
Une célébration de la vie de Sandi aura lieu à l'église unie Kitchissippi (630, promenade Island Park) le samedi 13 novembre à 14 heures. Veuillez noter qu'une preuve de vaccination complète contre le COVID sera exigée pour entrer dans l'église. Au lieu de fleurs, la famille demande que des dons soient faits à la Société d'arthrite (arthritis.ca) ou à la Société de Sjögren du Canada (sjogrenscanada.org).
L'inhumation aura lieu à l'été 2022 à Peterborough Ontario.
Sympathy Messages
Deepest and sincere condolences to you and all family members. May God be beside you all bringing peace and comfort.
- Shirley Danis, on
November 5, 2021
Sending heartfelt condolences to you all. Sandi was very special to me, as she was to so many. She came into my life at first as a councelor I met at church and after meeting, she said she didn't want to be my councelor, but would be my friend. She certainly was that. When I was a single mom with 2 kids, she became their Godmother. We all lived together with Sandi and other friends in Ottawa in a Christian community house for a long time during the eighties. I have such fond memories of her and our shared times together. I am grateful to have my life touched by such a kind, strong and loving spirit.
- Tess Fama, on
November 6, 2021
You may have known me as Rena or Lorena. I now go by LA. I lived with Sandi from 1979-1984, and she was a key person in my late-adolescent/early adulthood life. She was a mentor and a friend, and I have deep gratitude for all she modelled while we were together. Her generosity of spirit and her leadership were inspiring both for her wisdom and her humanity. There are a small number of people who really shape us, and for me she was one of those people. Thinking of all of you her siblings - Spencer, Brenda, Steven and Stan (condolences for Freida passing!) - and your kids, all of whom I remember very fondly. Sandi went above and beyond by being completely herself, and helping others to feel received and respected as completely themselves. Wish I could be with you!
- LA Henry, on
November 6, 2021
Hello to all my first and second Estabrooks cousins: I remember all the times we visited Lloyd and Jean in Peterborough and had great talks with Sandra. She was such a wise, caring person. I know my late mother (Elsie Estabrooks) and all the Estabrooks souls in heaven are welcoming Sandra now.
- Judy Chambers, on
November 6, 2021
My condolences to all of the family, so sorry to hear of your loss she was a beautiful person like her sister Freda, who we thought the world of. Bless you all
The Schulze Family
- Donna Schulze, on
November 7, 2021
Our sincere regrets in the passing of Sandra
Glen&Audrey Martin
- Audrey Martin , on
November 7, 2021
My sympathy and condolences to the family at this time. Sandi was a friend while I was in community in the 1980's.
I send my most sincere regret.
Ian Westell
- Ian, on
November 8, 2021
So sorry for your heartache. Sending you big hugs. She was obviously a wonderful person. Bless you and Matthew for caring for her with such love. Xo
- Donna coates, on
November 9, 2021
May Sandi rest in peace. And may God comfort you as you remember her devoted life and compassion for so many. Sandi served God well. Bless you and your family at this time as you celebrate Sandi's life.
- Deborah Seguin, on
November 10, 2021
I feel so much gratitude for having known Sandi during the 2000s, when she began by being a spiritual counsellor, then became a friend. What I remember most is the laughter, her sharp wit in telling stories, her joy laughing at the absurdities of life. Her deep concern for others, her willingness to 'walk the walk' with others living through painful circumstances. She was simply lovely.
My deepest condolences to all who loved her.
- Yolande Mennie, on
November 10, 2021
Belated condolences to all who knew Sandy. She was my counselor in 1977-78 and I lived with Sandy for about two years in the Christian Coop she headed. She was of great help to me in a very difficult time in my life in my early twenties. I also knew Spencer Estabrooks through Inter Varsity and a house church that Sandy and Spencer were involved in, and I met Sandy's parents. I would say that the influence of both Sandy and Spencer were of great value to me as I would imagine what they might say when I faced problems later in life! Sadly I lost contact with them both, but I don't think I will soon forget what a positive influence they were.
Joe Smallwood
- Joe Smallwood, on
May 30, 2022
Very sad to learn of Sandi’s passing just now, and after so many years after losing contact with her. My wife Lela and I first met Sandi and her brother Spence ( briefly) in the summer of 1973, at the 4th Ave Christian community in which she was the heart and soul. We, like many other transient young people who passed through that community back then, felt encouraged, uplifted and completely accepted by Sandi. Sandi ended up being a beacon of love and purpose to us, as we felt our way through the confusing trials of our young adulthood. Sandi was instrumental in helping us to see and to understand through her eyes of love and acceptance , the challenges that are faced by so many people less fortunate than we; of those who struggled with the everyday challenges of life. As indeed Sandi struggled (but never once complained about) her own physical pain and limitations. We continued to be involved with Sandi and the 4th Ave community through 1973 and 74. We then moved away back to London Ontario, and gradually lost contact over the ensuing decades.
Some memories of Sandi - she was always smiling and reaching out to others . She shared with me a love of Blues music. In particular she loved Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee, acoustic blues musicians. Sandi agreed to look after our rather unfriendly cat Rufus for 2 months, after our landlord threatened to evict us if we kept the cat in our apartment. And through Sandi we met so many people, each one accepted by and counselled by her ( whether knowingly or not). And we can’t forget Sandi’s loud Whoops! , her random expressions of joy that were entirely spontaneous and uplifting.
Sandi was a remarkable woman, one has touched many people deeply; we among them. God bless you Sandi
Brian and Lela
May my support warm your heart
- Brian & Lela Cheadle, on
December 3, 2025
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