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I only just learned of Sandy's death. I am very sorry to learn she has gone. I too met Leroy and Sandy at the Bristol Old Vic, but much later I came out to Vancouver and stayed with them in their lovely apartment in Tudor Manor. I will always be grateful for their hospitality, especially since I certainly overstayed my welcome before finally getting a place of my own. Leroy was Best Man at my wedding to Sharon and we stayed friends with Leroy and Sandy throughout the '80s, but have lost touch since moving to Connecticut. Sandy was always an ethereal presence, her smile seemingly concealing some secret , contrasting with Leroy's "out there" persona. We remember her fondly.

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Robert Pheby
14 years ago

I was so sad to hear this news. Rest easy dear Sandy. Fondest memories of you and LeRoy at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School during the early Seventies. Sandy worked for a time at the Theatre Royal box ofice, while LeRoy and I indulged ourselves with a somewhat sideways appproach to the drama craft. My thoughts are with you dear LeRoy. I would love to get in touch again and catch up. I often recall our Cotswold adventures! I am now a grandfather, still dabbling in the theatre, and living in Cornwall, with Jenny and four cats, having married for the second time in 2006. Unhappily Jane and I divorced back in 1994. Love and laughter old friend... Rob Pheby

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Orrin Webber
15 years ago

I knew Sandy and LeRoy for many years-I was their GP. There was always the calm contrast between pleasant, quiet Sandy and the somwhat more volatile LeRoy. I am so sorry to hear of Sandy's death, not knowing she was so sick as I last saw them 10 years ago. My best wishes to LeRoy and the family.

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RODD LEW
15 years ago

I was saddened to hear of sanyds passing .I enjoyed our many conversations over the years She was a gracoius bright fun person in 1981 when i first met alexandra and leroy before her parkinson set in. I will miss you alexandra.Rest in peace

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Joseph Prodor
15 years ago

Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Toni and Joe Joseph Prodor (White Rock, BC)

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michael margolu
15 years ago

I first met LeRoy and Sandy when I moved into Tudor Manor in 1986. We became fast friends. Sandy and my sister went to school together in Edmonton, and she also extends her condolences. I will always remember Sandy's warm smile and great empathy and compassion.

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Sheila Abercrombie
15 years ago

When Sandy was born everyone thought she was the most beautiful baby they had ever seen. She was absolutely gorgeous and adorable. We still have the home movies to prove it and they can be viewed on the family history site. Sandy was never comfortable with people complimenting her on her beauty. Sandy's beauty was obvious. Her stubborn side was not. On her first day of Kindergarten at Glenora School, Sandy announced that she was never going to go to school. One of her little classmates came to walk Sandy to school daily, but Sandy stayed home! After about a week, our mother Violet phoned the doctor and asked for advice. Sandy was adamant. The doctor siad the more they implored her to attend school, the more she would dig her heels in. Then one day in December, Sandy announced at the breakfast table that she thought she would go school today ................ and that was that! Sandy's favorite books were the Bobbsey Twins. Every evening at bedtime, her older sister which was me, would read her the stories of Freddie, Flossie, Nan, and Bert. I was 10 years older than Sandy and did not find the Bobbsey Twins that interesting. The series went on and on. There were over 70 books in all. Sometimes I would try to speed things up by skipping a bit, but Sandy always caught me. "You missed a bit. Go back!", Sandy would say. Even if I skipped a single sentence, Sandy always seemed to know and make me go back and read it. Sandy and her friend Anne chaperoned me and my husband-to-be Bill Abercrombie to Jasper one summer. I remember we camped out in brand new green tents purchased especially for this trip. The next morning, four green people emerged from the tents. The green dye came off all over us. What a mess. Another time on the same trip, the four of us had to sleep in our sleeping bags on the floor of the kitchen of a resort that had 'NO Vacancy'. We had to vacate the premises very early the next morning, so breakfast could be prepared for the paying guests. These are just a few of my precious memories of my sister Sandy.

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From highschool days, when we first met, Sandy and I shared family vacations, life together in Paris and Montreal, maid-of-honour roles at each other's weddings and, always, as our lives went their separate ways we kept in touch. Sandy was beloved by her friends because she was, herself, a true and loving friend, with a sense of humour which always revelled in life's absurdities. I willl miss her. My heart goes out to Lee, who will deeply feel her loss.

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Richard Wilkin
15 years ago

Knowing Sandy from Glenora School, Westglen, London and Paris, and being part of the wedding party of Sandy and Lee, I am more than saddened at learning of her death. My love and sympathy go to her sister, and to her husband, my old friend, Lee.

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Donna McGee
15 years ago

Twenty years ago, Sandy and I decided to treat ourselves to a B.C.A.A.-escorted trip to Hong Kong. Sandy was keen to take an unexpected opportunity to travel to the mainland of China, desination Canton (now called Guangzhou). At our lunch stop for a delicious taste of Peking Duck, our hostess greeted us proudly wearing a monkey fur cape. Returning to Hong Kong by train, the windows on our coach sported dainty lace curtains. Sandy was also eager to spend some time at the Aberdeen Mall in Hong Kong to do some Christmas shopping. Later in the afternoon we had a Holiday drink at the elegant Peninsula Hotel, which was tastefully decorated for Christmas. Sandy and I agreed we had a wonderful week exploring a little of the Orient. Jeanie (McNeill) Betts

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Donna McGee
15 years ago

I remember the first time I knew I had a cousin Sandy. Her parents and sister Sheila lived just one block away from our house at Edmonton. One day Uncle Alex informed me Aunt Violet would soon be coming home with a lovely baby girl named Sandy. Jeanie McNeill Betts

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Donna McGee
15 years ago

This is a memory of many years ago when Sandy came to Victoria with her Mother and Father from Edmonton. Our teenage years! We rented two horses from the Victoria Riding Academy and went for a wonderful horse back ride through the trails and roadway down to Cadboro Bay beach. It was a beautiful warm summer day and the afternoon tide was starting to come in. Our ride to the beach was rather slow getting there. Sandy would tell me she thought the horses were very tired as they were plodding along so slowly and would often stop and grab a mouthful of grass on the trail. Eventually,we did arrive at the beach and her horse loved the water so much it kept going deeper and deeper. Sandy held her feet high in the air and gleefully told me she and her horse were going for a swim together. Then she put her legs down and said she'll get her feet wet too. She loved being on the horse in the water like that. It was fun! When it was time to return to the stable and the horses were pointed homewards they picked up considerable speed and we found ourselves galloping along the beach at exhilirarating speed and it didn't seem to matter how hard we pulled on the reins, we couldn't get them to slow down, either. Anyway. we did get back to the barn without falling off. We dismounted, looked at each other, and couldn't stop laughing. Donna (McNeill) McGee

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Christine
15 years ago

Several years ago I was working in a show with LeRoy. He was very good....but he was drinking. Long story short....Lee got kicked out of the hotel because he was very loud and obnoxious. For some reason, the director picked me to go and get him. When I arrived he was sitting on the curb outside the hotel with all of his luggage. Of course, he was half-cut. I took him to the bus terminal. The director decided that replacing LeRoy was easier than dealing with him and so he called Sandy and told her he was shipping Lee back to Vancouver. Well, he got kicked off of the bus a few towns down the road. Unfortunately, his luggage was not kicked off with him. So, there was LeRoy in the middle of nowhere, raging at the insults he had endured....with his suitcase on its way without him. Sandy was so nice about it when we called to explain what happened. I will never forget the impact of that conversation. She was the epitomy of grace under pressure...elegant, kind, and sophisticated. Sandy was a real lady.

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Jane Osoko
15 years ago

So sad about Sandy. My deepest sympathy to you all . We were fortunate to be able to spend time with Sandy over the past few years -beautiful Sandy, with the lovely smile, so like her mother's. And Sandy always was so direct - she knew what she wanted to do, where she wanted to go , and , of course, what she wanted to wear. ! We have fond memories. I'll call your mother later this week. Thanks, Kelley. Love, Jane

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duncsbuncs
15 years ago

I am sorry to learn hear that Sandy has passed away. I am sure she is at peace. Love, Duncan Abercrombie

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mqabercrombie
15 years ago

I am truly sorry to hear of Sandy's passing and send my regards to her husband Leroy. Best wishes to the rest of the family. Love Malcolm Abercrombie

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Anonymous
15 years ago

I was very sorry to learn of Sandy's passing. She had a huge capacity for joy that was not given enough happiness. So many of us deeply wanted her to embrace the gifts in life instead of allowing Lee's alcoholism to suck her dry. I hope she is at peace.

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Nora Abercrombie
15 years ago

I was the first girl baby of my generation and arrived when Sandy was working in the fashion industry in Paris. My mother says that I was the most fashionably dressed baby in the city because Sandy sent so many designer dresses. I still have a few to this day -- can't bear to part with them. One is a sundress with little yellow baskets of flowers embroidered by hand on the pockets. Sandy always had wonderful taste. -- Nora

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Anonymous
15 years ago

One year when Sandy and LeRoy were at my grandparents for Christmas, Sandy and I stayed up until the wee hours talking about fashion and design. I must have been about 15 or 16. I learned a lot from her. Later, she showed me the attributes of different pearls. She also taught me how to analyse perfume in terms of notes and olfactive families. It was fascinating and yet very girly.

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Anonymous
15 years ago

One time I was staying with LeRoy and Sandy. Gosh, when I think of it now I shudder. It must have been very inconvenient! I was camped out on their livingroom floor! Somehow I managed to get a sunburn on a cloudy day. Sandy went out and rented 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' and 'Funny Face' for us to watch while having a picnic on her floor. So much fun!

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Anonymous
15 years ago

Another thing I learned from my aunt Sandy is the art of shopping for pleasure. Enjoying frivolity is a skill that has served me well over the years. Oscar Wilde was right, life is too important to be taken seriously.

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Anonymous
15 years ago

Sandy was the first person who taught me to appreciate fabulous European cheeses and the true vocation of the chocolateur. I think she must have picked up these tastes when she was living in France.

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