With deep sadness we announce the passing of Leslie Sand of Edmonton, Alberta.
Leslie went to hospital for an assumed hip fracture, only to learn she had advanced cervical cancer. Just 17 days later, she passed peacefully, surrounded by her children, partner, siblings, and cousins. The family is deeply grateful to the doctors, nurses, and palliative team on Unit 5D at the University of Alberta Hospital—especially Dr. Choi, Dr. Pin and Emerg Nurse/Social Worker/cousin, Beverly Morison—for their exceptional compassion and care.
Leslie’s hospital room was filled with presence. Son Adam laid a beautiful foundation for her comfort, dignity and love. Her partner, Alex, daughter, Adelle (and partner Chevy) lovingly held Leslie in her final moments.
Leslie had a village surrounding her 24/7 upon diagnosis, providing time to share special memories, humour, songs, even poetry. Leslie insisted the tradition of memorizing and reciting Robert Service’ Cremation of Sam McGee must continue! 70/80’s tunes were sung. Leslie often awoke to her favourite song, cracked a joke or acknowledged a loved one. To know Leslie, was to know her humour and bright, infectious laugh.
As a youngster, her Dad (ran a family drapery installation business), hired Leslie to load hooks/eyelets at 10 cents per rod. Dad returned to find Leslie playing off to the side as her friends completed her job for 5 cents per rod! She told her little sister, playing the Crawdad song on the Ukelele: “Alvina, promise me you’ll never negotiate any two-for-a nickel-three-for-a-dime deal. You’ll wind up broke!”
She lived a colourful life working as an accountant, campground owner, laundromat operator, Edmonton Transit and Mother Earth school bus driver. Alex drove the school buses as well. As a perfect gentleman, he always brushed the snow off and warmed up the bus for Leslie throughout brutal Alberta winters.
Most memorably, Leslie and Alex were owners of Smoky Valley Goat Cheese, featured in a 2013 article in the Edmonton Journal. In February 2013, she co-hosted a cheese-making workshop with local cheese enthusiasts. Leslie loved her hometown of Edmonton. Together they created a semi-soft, pyramid-shaped goat cheese called The Muttart and were well-received at Farmers Markets. Leslie’s entrepreneurial spirit inspired the courage in both of her children to become successful leaders.
Adam, a highly publicized CEO along with his partner, Allison Sand running RBP Consulting where he teaches and runs podcasts incorporating his extensive experience within the roofing industry to market and exponentially grow the industry itself for Canadian and American roofing firms.
Adelle successfully ran Oodles of Poodles, grooming and training her puppies along with their adopted families to strengthen a healthy connection. Some of Adelle’s poodles were selected as stellar companion therapy dogs.
Leslie struggled in her health, particularly in the last 3-4 years. The family intends to raise more awareness about cervical cancer prevention and pay their utmost respect to Alex and Adelle for their devotion as Leslie’s caregivers prior to her diagnosis.
Leslie leaves her partner Alex; children Adam (Allison & son Atlas); Adelle (Chevy & daughter Paris); siblings Howard (Karen) and Alvina (Daryl & daughter Olivia); first husband Garnett; devoted cousins/soul sisters Beverly Morison & Donna Michael; besties Maree Bokenfohr & Karen Chyz along with a wide circle of extended family & friends.
A celebration of Leslie’s life to be determined at a later date.
“I came, I laughed, I loved—and I left the playlist running.”
I am so saddened by the loss of a very special friend. A kind, caring woman who put others before herself. She was very proud of her children, Adam and Adele, their patners, Allison and Chevy, her grandchildren, Atlas and Paris and the paths they have taken. She was always making people laugh and made sure people were happy. She was always there if I needed to talk and we always loved our get-togethers and long phone calls. Our trips away were truly memorable and we are left with fantastic memories of them. I was blessed to have had Leslie as part of my journey. Condolences from New Zealand family and friends that have heard of Leslie’s passing, especially mum Baillie, Andy, Simon, John and Gaylene.
You will always be in my heart ??
Colton, Randy and I, will truly miss my sister from another mother. A good soul gone too soon.
You will be forever missed sister. I promise to love and honour your children the way they honoured your passage into the afterlife. So proud of them.