Grushcow, Sandra Helen (nee Abfalter), born July 25th, 1951, passed away surrounded by loved ones on August 19th, 2024, after a short but valiant fight with cancer. Sandy was predeceased by her parents Henry (2015) and Helen (2017) and her brothers Steven (1985) and Tom (2012). She is survived by her loving husband of 45 years, Jack, her devoted son Adam, whom she adored, her brother-in-law Mark (Ricky) Grushcow, sisters-in-law Hilary (Ronald) Goldenberg and Judy Kanouse, her nieces Melanie Harris, Chrissie Henry, and Lisa Grushcow, her nephews Tyler Abfalter, Jeff Goldenberg (Sage), Neil Goldenberg (Vanessa), and Jeremy Grushcow, great nieces and nephews Sawyer, Scout, Jaxon, Bodhi, Stevie, Layne, Jackson, James, Henry, Caroline, Ariella, Alice, Daniel, Felicity, and Ellie, as well as her many close friends and family.
Sandy lived a life full of love and adventure and will be missed by the many people she was connected to over the years. She enjoyed spending time at her second home on Galiano Island, where she’s been making memories for over 50 years. She also loved to travel, from Expo ’67 in Montreal, to visiting Newfoundland with her mother, taking her dad to see the polar bears in Churchill, Manitoba, living in Italy for two years with Jack and Adam where she made lifelong friends, going on African safaris, her frequent trips to Palm Springs and numerous places across the USA, her final family trip to Southeast Asia, which she was able to share with Jack and Adam, as well as numerous other trips with friends and family over her lifetime.
Sandy was an incredible hostess and loved entertaining. She knew how to throw a great party, often allowing Adam and his friends, who loved her dearly, to plan their own parties at her family residences over the years. She was known for her culinary skills and showed her love by feeding people at dinner parties across the globe, always being sure to remember who liked what dishes and who didn’t like which ingredients. She knew the perfect wine to pair with meals and made sure to serve top notch desserts.
Sandy was loved by people around the world. She made friends easily and kept them for life. She was funny, compassionate, and great at giving advice. She will be remembered for her calming, non-judgemental and mischievous nature. It is difficult to imagine a world without her in it, but she touched many people in her lifetime, and we will carry her with us.
Please join us in celebrating Sandy’s life on Saturday, November 9th at 11am in the Floral Room at VanDusen Botanical Garden. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a charity of your choice in Sandy’s memory.