Sandra Vibert

1954 - 2023

February 22,1954 - June 7, 2023

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our mother, Sandra Ann Vibert (McParland), affectionately known as Sandy, on June 7, 2023 at home with her children by her side. Sandy was born in Fort William to Roy and Ruth McParland. She grew up in Westfort, the 2nd of 7 children. She attended Heath Park Public School, Westgate High School and then graduated from the Early Childhood Education Program at Confederation College.

Sandy was the heart of the Rosslyn Village community. Her home had an open door policy. She was the President of the Rosslyn Village Women's Institute (WI) for 15 years, a Girl Guide leader for 12 years and was the administrator of the Rosslyn Village Community Centre for many years. When the Rosslyn Rink was in it's hay day, Sandy's house was the place kids could come to call home for a ride, use the washroom, or get a drink and a cookie while they warmed up.

Sandy was a proud and committed member of Pinegrove United Church for almost 50 years; participating on the Board of Directors, Finance Committee and most recently as a member of the Pastoral Care Committee. Pinegrove was her extended family, and we grew up attending Sunday services, Fall Suppers, Corn Roasts and numerous teas and bake sales with mom. The trio of Joan Bailey, Deb Paris and Sandy were a force to be reckoned with, often in the thick of any church event, selling tickets, baking or creating centerpieces.

Sandy's true love was her family. Together with Gary, they raised 5 children and 9 grandchildren; she was fiercely proud of all of them. Sandy encouraged her children to try everything and was there to support them in all of their endeavours. She was generous with her time and could be counted on to sew dance costumes, attend hockey tournaments and support school trips. Mom and Dad were heartbroken to lose their daughter Kimberley to cancer in 2013. Sandy was a devoted caregiver to Kimberley during these challenging years.

Mom loved having the house full of her children, grandchildren, and Kimberley's golden retriever Sam. She wanted to hear updates of trips, sports events, school report cards and more. No detail was too small to be important to Nanny. Sandy spent many summers at Arrow Lake at the family camp. In recent years when she couldn't get out to camp, Nanny loved to hear about fish we caught, if we saw any turtles in the pond or if someone got up on the water skiies. Every summer, all the grandchildren were treated to "The Nanny Shop", a special outing just for Nanny and her grandchildren to shop till they dropped, as a reward for them completing the school year. Family trips driving down to the Gulf Coast and visiting the girls at university were highlights for Sandy. In 2019, Sandy and Gary took their 19-member family on the trip of a lifetime to the Caribbean on a Disney Cruise.

Sandy will be forever missed and lovingly survived by her children John, (Marisa), Karen, Michelle and Natalie (Stephen), and her nine grandchildren Aidan and Nathan Vibert, Mitchell and Hailey Papineau, Knox, Simon and Briar Kolobutin and Grace and June Massaro; mother Ruth McParland, siblings Debbie McParland (Vernon), Robert McParland (Charlene), Ruth McParland, Angie McParland and Bill McParland (Andrea). Sandy is predeceased by her husband of 46 years, Gary; daughter Kimberley, son-in-law Shane, father Roy McParland and sister Judy McParland.

Mom was as generous as they come, and the best caregiver. We are so thankful for her support, guidance and never-ending love. We send her off with admiration after a lifetime of love, and are comforted to know she has reunited with our father and sister. Our thanks to her medical team; Dr. Faghih and his nurse Corrina, Dr. Harris, Dr. Mangatal, Dr. Simpson and Dr. Ward and the many nurses and PSWs on 3C who supported us in her final months. We are immensely grateful with the respect and care mom received.

Funeral Services for Sandy will be held on Friday, June 16th at 11:00am at Pinegrove United Church with the Rev. Nancy Ringham presiding. A reception will follow at the Rosslyn Village Community Centre. In lieu of flowers, donations to Pinegrove United Church or the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre Northern Cancer Fund are appreciated.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the WESTFORT CHAPEL, 420 West Gore Street at James.

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