SAUNDRA BEVERLY THOMSON

January 25, 1935 – July 13, 2025 It is with both deep sadness and hearts full of joyful memories that we announce the peaceful passing of Saundra ("Sandy") Beverly Thomson (Myles) after complications from a fall. Beloved wife of James ("Jim") of 67 years. Devoted Mother of Jeffrey Thomson (Mary), Susan Cowan (Kevan), and Karen Mercer (Tim). Proud Grandma of Meghan (Matthew Rae), Cole, Courtney, Laurie, Natalie, and Lindsay. Sister of Charles ("Chuck"). Predeceased by her Parents, Ruth ("Billie") and Harry Myles; and her sisters, Dawn and Susan. Born in Tweed, Ontario, Sandy's fondest childhood memories involved school, sports, church Sunday school, and summers at Taylor Statten camp. Sandy spoke of her small-town childhood, in a house by the railway tracks and behind a dairy that stored large blocks of ice during the winter. She also remembered challenging times during World War II, hiding extra butter and flour. Sandy's professional career spanned nursing and the health insurance industry, working at Toronto East General Hospital, North York General Hospital, Crown Life Insurance Company, and Standard Life Insurance Company. Sandy's lifelong dedication to caring for others started at Toronto East General, where her leadership skills were immediately apparent, resulting in her appointment to Head Nurse of the Gynaecology floor, within her first year. Sandy met Jim in 1952 at Leaside High School. A walk home from a high school dance resulted in a lifelong partnership. They married in 1957 and shared 67 married years, raising a family and enjoying a mutual love of travel, visiting 80 different countries as they travelled the world together. Sandy's favourite country, of all those she visited, was India. Sandy inspires so many smiles and happy memories. A consummate homemaker, she was impeccably organized and loved to bake, filling the basement freezer with months' worth of baked goodies, and always greeting with a laugh and a smile at the discovery that her children and their friends had secretly raided the basement stash. Every weekend, Sandy would whip up the world's best Sunday dinner gravy, inevitably leading to disappointment the odd time she introduced variety to the ritual feast, for example, the substitution of a ham for the traditional roast beef and gravy. Sandy had a unique style - she elevated the "matchy matchy" mode of fashion to breathtaking heights, always adorned, from earrings to necklaces, to blouses to pants, and skirts and shoes, in a perfectly complementary array of colours and tonal patterns. And from her heart and her soul, Sandy embodied nature's highest achievement in caregiving, both professionally and personally. She was a natural lifelong "first responder," always the first person to help a friend or stranger in need. Sandy will be dearly missed, and the shared memories cherished by all who knew her. To honour Sandy, please put on a matching outfit, bake a treat, or help a friend or stranger in need. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Sandy's memory to her charity of choice, Crohn's and Colitis Canada, at https://crohnsandcolitis.ca/sandythomson. A private family gathering will be held to share memories and commemorate Sandy's life.