Stories about Yvonne
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My last round of golf with Yvonne
I was visiting TO a few years back so Derek and Yvonne invited me out for a round of golf. We got to a quite long Par 3 where I debated if a 3 or 5 wood might be in order. Yvonne raised her eyebrows but kept quiet. I went with the 5 and hit a mighty blow that went a good 30 yards past the hole upon which I heard from the sideline " Well boy, good thing you clubbed down!". She then plopped one on the fringe and got down in 2 to beat me by 2 strokes! I'll miss her
Mike Haley
Mrs. Sandison, a true woman of substance. That substance is enhanced by many interesting spices, core values, moving parts and a life full of journey.
The hardest part of this is realizing I wasn't her only "boy". She was a caregiver, a chef, a mentor and a therapist for so many young people not only to me.
The example she set in her final years will be carried by many as an example of strength, empathy, forgiveness and love. Never getting angry or letting "why me" enter the conversation. Always welcoming and sincere; always wanting to know how my family was, who's heart I was breaking, where were my next travels, but most importantly, was I truly happy. If I said yes she made me eat if I said no she made me eat seconds and dessert.
These last few months while I stopped by the family home in south Mississauga, I heard many stories of a woman with so much fascinating depth. Most of our conversations were set in the backdrop of the Toronto failing sports culture... "they better hurry up and win soon I don't have much time left here for these rookies to mature", her improving forehand or how many "bugger" or "bloody" three putts she dealt with.
Her marriage and love of Mr. Sandison is and will continue to be an example for my life. Something that I hold on to and hope in having one day. That unconditional love was on full display during her tough battle. Sir, you are her hero; the way she would lite up whenever you were near was what novels are written about.
Leigh, you carry your mother's Hollywood scarlet smile, dance moves and sense of humour.
Scott and I have a remarkable, strong bond with many differences but one of greatest similarities is the love and admiration we share for our supportive mothers. I'm so proud of you brother; your strength, never being afraid to show emotion during your mother's struggle is so empowering. I love you all and I'm here for all three of you. I hold every moment I share with your wife and mother close to my heart and belly.
In closing Mrs. Sandison in her lifetime gave time to love deeply, gave time to speak honestly! And gave time to share the precious thoughts in her mind. There I feel we can all find clues to what incapsulates all the beauty of this woman's everlasting substance.
"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away." -George Carlin
Hail and health
Jonathan Beresford
I will always remember Yvonne as being incredibly kind and caring, and for her laid back attitude and love of sport. During our Appleby years and summer breaks from university, Leigh and I spent all our time together, and consequently I saw a lot of Derek, Yvonne and Scotty – and thought of Yvonne as my second Mom. Anytime I saw her she would say “hi babe” – she called everyone babe. Growing up, most of my time with the Sandisons revolved around hockey. Yvonne watched countless hockey matches and if our team lost a game she would simply say, “don’t worry hun” and “it’s only a game” (which would drive competitive Leigh nuts!). One great memory I have of Yvonne is when Yvonne and Derek came to visit me and Leigh in Barcelona. After watching us play a hockey game at Polo Club, we had drinks with the team on the terrace and in the evening we went to a Spanish guitar concert in Old Town, which Yvonne absolutely loved. We also took a trip up the Costa Brava and visited the Dali Museum. I remember Yvonne laughing at some of the art and saying Dali was wacky. We had a great week in Barcelona. I will also always remember how Yvonne was in such good shape. She loved watching sport but she was also a great athlete. When we were in high school, I gave Leigh a pair of jeans that were too tight for me. The next time I went round the Sandison house, Yvonne was wearing my jeans! She said “thanks for the jeans babe”. Leigh had decided they looked better on her Mom. Yvonne was an incredible person – sweet, caring and lovely to be around – and I will miss her very much.
Lindsay Dold
Even though I didn't see her often my mom would fill us with Yvonne stories whenever we were together which always ended up in a roar of laughter.
One of them was when they were in Toronto trying to pick a place to eat. Yvonne said - I'll eat anywhere. Mom said - yeah I will too. And your mom said - no, you are a snob and fussy!!!
I will really miss her.
Sanya Persaud
Yvonne has a heart of gold and that’s why the Sandison’s are such a blessed family. Her story from Guyana sits deep in my heart. She's an incredible woman. Poised with beauty, she transpired love in every person, and always had an “everything’s going to be alright babe” attitude. Leigh and I are inspired by her passion of sport (we always talked about growing old and still playing tennis and golf like Yvonne), staying positive, and carrying a sense of humour while traveling the world. She defines an exemplar mom, wife, sister and friend in so many ways. We are all going to miss her. With love, LD
Laura Dowling Makhanya
Your photo gallery is a wonderful tribute to Yvonne. It highlights her love of life and family. My endearing memory will be of her infectious smile and laugh.
Barbara Hakner
I was very saddened to learn the news of Mrs. Yvonne Sandison. I only met her briefly but her grace and generosity could not be missed by any of us to whom she opened her home. We can rest assured that while she was with us, she enjoyed the company of a wonderful family in you all, which would have made her life a good one that was worth living. Please remember that among the wonderful gifts that she would have left you all is an indelible link to an extended Guyanese hockey family.
On the lighter side, some of the best shirts that I own are from Yvonne and they still feature prominently in my fashion-challenged closet. Smile.
Philip Fernandes
Auntie Yvonne was always full of life, stylish, smart and someone who had a deep love for everyone she's ever been associated with. My family has been blessed to have her in our lives especially in the '80s and '90s when we were the most closest what with my sister Lisa and I growing up together with Leigh and Scott.
Auntie Yvonne had the great gift of making one feel at ease and cheering them up. She always took an interest in us and loved my father a lot as well. Even when she was not well in her later days she'd inquire about my father's progress with his dialysis and help my mother cope with that and her various health issues.
Auntie Yvonne was a strong woman who had a great capacity to love. I always found her to be the most sensible, smart and down to earth person in our family circle. Out of everyone I've crossed paths with in my life Auntie Yvonne impressed upon me her strength, love, conviction and depth of feeling. She was a great mother with two children that are a magnificent reflection of herself. Leigh especially, has turned into the spitting image of her mother. Leigh is a beautiful, caring, humorous woman with a love of travel and a great capacity to love. Scott is one who embodies his mother's calm nature, wit and elegant but not officious bearing. I'm honored to have had Auntie Yvonne be a part of not only my life but a part of our family's life. God gave us all a wonderful gift when Auntie Cheryl and her became close friends. I will always have the image of Auntie Yvonne's smile and laughter in my mind's eye for the rest of my days. May she Rest in Peace.
Chris Fung
I met Yvonne playing squash a number of years ago. I was new to the game and she was a natural on the court. I remember her always encouraging me to 'stretch that beautiful length I have' (a nice way to say hurry up Laura) to get the ball faster. I am taller and was a little slower (excuses) and she was like a little high-speed train getting to the ball. Never have I enjoyed being beaten by anyone as much as she beat me. I remember booking a game with her and meeting up at the club, me in my sweats and a work out jacket of some average sort and Yvonne appropriately attired in fur. Well, of course, why not! I knew I was in for a unique game and ultimately special special friendship. There were a small group a gals we played with at the time and we convinced her to join a travelling team. Once a week we played another club so 4-5 of us would trek around together. We had a trip to Pickering planned so we made a day of it and learned she had never really had a hamburger, well, we took her to 'Licks' restaurant and watched her eat the largest burger on the list. Strange bonding day but the group of ladies that played squash together at that time, formed a friendship that connected us all in a special way and we have remained friends. We have had dinners, coffee's, scrabble games and a glass or two of wine together ever since and Yvonne was always the nucleus of this group. She has been the voice of reason, common sense, love and affection, lots of humour and mostly genuine gratefulness. She has always been grateful and felt blessed to have been lucky to have family and friends. She understood this gift better than anyone I have known. She has been a light in my life and also formed a kind and special relationship with my young son. They both loved to read and chat about life. He was immediately connected to her charm, grace and kindness. She was interested in what he had to say, which was often a lot, and she had patience for every word. She had an appreciation of all that surrounded her and her elegance was not just on the outside but all through her. I will miss her terribly but know the universe is brighter because she was.
Laura Oros
This is more about Derek and his love for Yvonne. Derek and I go back to about 1983 with Toronto Field Hockey Club. At that age, I was about 20 and Derek was about 60 (and today is 61) I was respectful but still not drinking age and Derek was respectful of my unadulterated youth even though he lived just up the street on Midland Ave in Scarborough. As I got older, and over the last 8-10 years, I got to know Yvonne a lot more and sadly, in reading "Her Story", I wish I knew more about this as we had a lot to talk about. A little story on love. In January 2014 , there was a fleeting chance I would get tickets to the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles. I mentioned this to Derek, and the Scotsman was all excited about making this trip not only for the Ryder Cup, but also a chance to go back home. As time went on, the probabilities increased to the point where it became a reality. Derek called me in August and said that he had to make the decision not to go so he could be with his beloved Yvonne. I understood, but I thought about both of them all the while I was at Gleneagles. Derek would never tell this story being the way he is. There is no doubt that their blissful union along with wonderful children is an example of what is so right about life today. I looked up to Derek then, and still do now. His love for his beautiful wife is unconditional. I am truly sorry for Derek, Scott, Leigh, Carmelita and all the other family for their loss.
Warren Viegas
I first met Yvonne when we were in 2nd grade at St. Angeles elementary school in Georgetown. We quickly became friends.....she was so friendly and approachable...and we continued to be the best of friends for the next 64 years.
I left Georgetown in 1967 to live in Washington, D.C., and on a visit home, I encouraged Yvonne to come back to the U.S. with me. We lived together for a while until she decided to move to Toronto, but we stayed in constant touch. I literally spoke with Yvonne on the telephone almost every day between 1969 and 2015. On the rare occasion when I didn't call, she would ask if my dialing finger was broken.
Over the years, our families spent many wonderful days together.......birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, holidays. Our children grew up together and remain friends to this day. We became family.
Yvonne was my dearest friend, who I loved and still love. Without her, life will just not be the same. I will miss her and think of her often.
Shirley Cowell
Yvonne loved life. We had Christmases, Thanksgivings, and Easter together whenever we could. The only thing Yvonne liked more than reading was being happy with her life and being thankful for each day. Yvonne commanded the English language with appropriateness in every conversation. She had wit and poked fun on a dime and laughed with complete satisfaction at her subject as well as herself. She was sharp at spelling. Once I was in a discussion with her over some trivial matter and I happened to use the expression. “I was not born yesterday". She looked quite pleased and retorted "Alfie you could have fooled me". In other trivial matters her wit was punctual and present. Like the time I asked unwittingly "do I look like I am a norvis.? She quickly added "no Alfie there is no r". I asked: "r as in what?" she said "there is no r there either". I caught myself and exchanged smiles. I promised to get her back. She would say you and who else? In all the last 56 years that I have known her she never had a harsh or cross word and always seemed to be prepared to be gentle and thoughtful. She was compassionate and smiled under the worst of circumstances. I have had many conversations with Yvonne over those years. Each time we met we renewed our banter and appreciation for each other. When either leaving from her home or our home after a visit, Gloria who is always happy to be with Yvonne, would become emotional and Yvonne would say Oh Gloria! You are going to make me cry . Don’t sweat the small stuff and they would agree it is not a sad moment. The last time we did that was March 2015. I could hear her voice distinctly in my mind saying "Eh eh boy Alfie I don’t want anything to hurt my head. No worries its ok. Take life as it comes. I can’t complain. I have lived a life most people in the world have only dreamed about living. I have seen the world and I am happy. How can I complain? I had more than my share. So life is good, do your best, be happy and do what you can for others less fortunate'. Remembering is easy; Yvonne made each day a time of peaceful and joyous moments, strung along from breakfast to the last exchange before turning in to sleep at night. She would say “it's been a good day aye'. She lived a good life. She enriched every life she touched and we are all the better her. Her generosity, compassion and selfless loving and special hugs will be remembered by all. Our Friend for ever.
Gloria and Alfred Butters
1978, Washington, DC. I was a young single guy prowling around one evening, when I spotted two very attractive young ladies across the room. I thought I would introduce myself and chat. This random meeting profoundly affected my life........one of them,Yvonne, became my friend for the past 37 years.....the other became my wife!
Over the years, I came to know Yvonne quite well, and I think her finest quality, among many, was her kindness and empathy, especially for anyone she saw as disadvantaged, unappreciated or mistreated. She rooted for the underdog!
Yvonne loved life. She loved her family and friends, and they all loved her. She will be sorely missed by every person that she touched. Life will go on, but it will not be the same without her.
Ken Cowell
Yvonne always said to me, “Girl, your girlfriends are the ones you need to stay close to…..sure, the men are there, but your girlfriends are the ones you can turn to when you need them”. Today is her memorial service and so time has run out for me to write this tribute. I’ve been in denial up until now, because my most best-est girlfriend is finally at peace. I didn’t need to face up to reality until now.
Yvonne was my rock. She was there for ALL the dramas that I’ve had and through it all, was supportive, loving and always reminded me that I was going to be ok. I will always feel that I didn’t do the same for her. She was so funny when we played tennis……..she’d start off by saying: “let’s just rally, I don’t want to do this game/points thing”. I’d go into the rally thinking, ok…………we’re just hitting back and forth. Within about 10minutes, Yvonne would have me running back and forth, side to side, whilst she nailed the ball into the corners of the court. She was such a great athlete, and through it all, just wanted to make me into a better tennis player. She always wanted me to be happy and succeed at whatever I did.
There was the time that she came with me to return the puppy I had purchased (Drama!). We had to go to Muskoka to return the little thing and got caught in a tornado on the return journey. Dear lord – the two of us often joked about the washing machine that we were caught in – trees swirling around us, stuff in the road, seriously crazy time. And through it all, we laughed, and knew that even though it was a dangerous situation, we were in it together. It was one of our favourite memories to reminisce about.
She was so strong dealing with her disease and in the time leading up to her final days. I hope that this is what I take into my life going forward. Having had her in my life will make me a better person, and she will always be by my side, counseling me, reminding me not so sweat the small stuff, it’s just so not important. I hope that Yvonne knew how loved she was. It’s clear from these tributes that she was dearly loved and impacted so many lives. Love you Yvonne, miss you stax.
I found a poem by Mary Elizabeth Frye that resonated and helps me keep her close: Do not stand at my grave and weep. I am not there. I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow. I am the diamond glints on snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain. I am the gentle autumn rain. When you awaken in the morning’s hush I am the swift uplifting rush Of quiet birds in circled flight. I am the soft stars that shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry; I am not there. I did not die.
Lynette Whiley
My heartfelt sympathy to Yvonne's family on their great loss. I was so sad to hear of her passing, my long time Hockey buddy. Yvonne and I were members of the Georgetown Football Club (GFC), womens' hockey team, united in our passion for the game. In the 8 years before we both left Guyana for Canada, we spent countless hours perfecting our game. Yvonne was a natural, skilled athlete, and was on the National Team representing Guyana for many years. I always remember her as smiling and happy, and fun to be around. I knew life in Guyana was not easy, but had no idea her childhood was so difficult, although you would never guess this from her demeanour. So I am extremely happy she found her true soul mate, and together they had a wonderful and fulfilling life, raising two wonderful children, whom they loved, and who made them very proud. What more could you ask for a life well lived. I'm very lucky to have called Yvonne friend. R.I.P.
Barbara Wong
This is such a bitter sweet moment for me. I was hired by Derek as a receptionist to work for Sapling Corporation in 1993. I did not meet Derek until a week later as he was travelling on business. Over the years, I had the opportunity to work as a Training Coordinator and this involved planning Sapling’s user conferences in Toronto. This opportunity allowed me the pleasure of meeting Yvonne as the pre-conference get together always happened at Derek’s and Yvonne’s house. I must say that I have to echo the sentiments all of you share because when I first met Yvonne, she left an impression on me. My first thoughts…she was such a humble and personable LADY…..she would hug me and ask me “hun, how is everything?” She would always pay me compliments. It was always about the other person and not herself. When I had my daughter Cheyenne…Yvonne and Derek visited and spent time with Chey and I. I have not spent much time with Derek and Yvonne, but the moments I was blessed to be in Yvonne’s company will always be cherished and near and dear to my heart. Derek, for the years that I have known you, I have always admired the husband and father you have been. Whenever I was in the company of you and Yvonne, I would notice the way you both looked at each other and without words, one could tell of the love and bond you shared. Yvonne lived a full and happy life. The world is a better place because of her and the mark she has left on everyone. Today, she is an example of the woman I still hope to become…kind, caring, personable, humble, lively, loving, compassionate Let us all take a page from Yvonne’s book….let us all strive to give back, as she did, to love as she did, to care as she did, to be selfless as she was….. RIP …Yvonne Sandison
Vidy Babwah
Yvonne was a pleasure to be around - beautiful inside and out. She had kind words for everyone and good advice for me. Her serious illness did not diminish her spirit - and I so admired that. I didn't get to know her very well, but that hardly mattered as every time we met or talked, it was like no time had passed. Yvonne never failed to amaze me with her ability to manage her new reality after she was diagnosed, and, she continued to live her life to the fullest - such courage! A fashionita too! Always very stylish. We will miss you dearly Yvonne. Gone too soon. My sincere condolences go out to Derek, her children and the rest of her well-loved family and friends
Fay Mendoza
Yvonne was one our group of ladies who played tennis at the ORC. We had so much fun together celebrating birthdays and anything else we could think of. A group of us went to Florida for a vacation at Cathy Prosia's home - this is where the golf comes in. While playing a round of golf our friend Yvonne, our tiny Yvonne, tee'd off and CRUSHED the ball sending it well over 200 yards. Now that was something to celebrate! Miss you Yvonne you were a wonderful role model to all of us. I am still hoping to crush the ball like you could.
Karen Barrett