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Sandra (Sandy) Ruth Sudmant
June 20, 1956 - June 30, 2019
Tribute
Dr. Sandra Sudmant
June 20, 1956 – June 30 2019
Sandy was born on June 20, 1956 at the Harvey General Hospital in Harvey Illinois USA.
Her family moved back to Canada, she grew up in Burnaby BC, attended SFU attaining her bachelor degree in science, than UBC where she earned her degree in dentistry. Her first private practice was on Saltspring Island where she met her husband Jeff Hutchison. Later she moved her practice to Duncan BC where she attended her patients for more than 25 years before retiring. These are the facts, but they do not describe the woman.
Sandy was keenly intelligent, never a lazy thinker. She pursued an eclectic array of knowledge about how the world worked – most often through a tactile exploration using her clever, long and skillful fingers. Though you could have a conversation with her about any number of topics which she would contribute surprising knowledge and detail, she channeled her desire to learn in creative expression. Self-taught, she learned than mastered intricate, complicated and beautiful award-winning fabric art such as knitting, quilting, wall hangings and sash cord pots. She created stained glass windows and boxes. She made pop up cards and recently she decided to paint. Her first efforts displayed exquisite detail, color and precision.
Many of us have been recipients of her large body of work as she generously gifted us with the fruits of her labors. She shared her creative talent with children extending special attention to their own play and creativity. One summer she spent a week with 3 young people building an elaborate medieval fort out of cardboard as well as the accompanying cardboard armor and weaponry.
When we sat in her dental chair, we knew we were receiving the very best of care and consideration. Her professional competency and attention to detailed precision were of the highest standard. Patients tended to stay with her over the course of her career. She witnessed the growing of her youngest patients from children into adults, she took genuine interest in their life progress.
Sandy had a rye, mischievous sense of humor often displayed in her place of work. She would ask complex questions that required a response. A patient with mouth wide open and immobile could only respond in a series of garbled sounds much like the barking of a seal. She with a twinkle in her eye could interpret with a surprising accuracy or not, depending on the answer she wanted. She could make a joke at her own expense laughing easily along with the rest of us.
Sandy took great joy in her music. She played trumpet in school bands and then the Cowichan Concert Band and the Cowichan Consort for over twenty years. She became stage manager for many of her concerts soliciting attendance from friends and colleagues so compellingly they could not refuse. She loved to travel, climbing Machu Pichu was a long desired achievement. When Jeff no longer travelled with her, she and her mother took several trips together exploring parts of Europe, Egypt and Israel.
Those of us who lived in the community with her will remember her daily lunch break strolls walking with Jeff along the downtown streets of Duncan. She was easily spotted always wearing stylish attire that included heels and a hat.
Sandy was predeceased by her loving husband Jeff Hutchison and is survived by her brother John Rheumer, his wife Lina, by her sister Elizabeth Anderson, her husband James and her nieces Gioanna and Debra, also her close friends including Bryan Simpson, Aldine Cole, Norma Pannell, Gary Chilibeck and his family Laura, Emily, Julia and their children.
Sandy left us on Sunday June 30th. We who knew and loved her are not ready to let her go. Her unique, intelligent and gifted person will be missed every day.
A celebration of Life open house will be held Saturday July 13, 2019 at 6159 Lakes Road Duncan BC between 1 – 4 p.m.
Condolences
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From: H.W. Wallace Cremation & Burial Centre
H.W. Wallace Cremation and Burial Centre Staff send our condolences to family and friends.
From: MRS. &MR. G. F. MacGregor
Relation: she was my husband's dentist
Sandra, you were a great person and dentist and we are sorry you had to pass so early in your life.
From: Gloria McEachern
Relation: Patient since 1987 on Salt Spring Islandand then continuing in Duncan
I am very saddened by the passing of Sandy and offer my deepest condolences to her family and friends. I first met Sandy in 1987 on Salt Spring Island when I became one of her many grateful patients. She was also my son David’s dentist and I was amazed as to how he entrusted her to work on his teeth. David has special needs and was very scared to have his teeth looked at. She was so wonderful with him, patient and compassionate to the utmost. Now almost 32 years later he will allow his dental work to proceed as anyone else. For that I am most grateful for Sandy and her steadfast, patient and cajoling manner with him. May she find peace now and I wish the same for her family. With love, Gloria and David
From: Laura Kennedy
Relation: Close Friend
Sandy was in my life since I was a child. She was always friendly and loved sharing her vast aray of knowledge. Over the past 5 years my family became very close to her spending Birthday’s and Christmas’ together where we were lucky to learn even more about the woman she was.
She shared my love of Star Trek, Harry Potter and Disney Parks. She was enthusiastic and passionate about anything she took an interest to. I loved listening to how she figured out her quilts- her attention to detail and patients was above and beyond.
Her latest interest was paper pop ups- which at first glance sounds simple- but she spent at least an hour explaining the basic intricacies of it and produced amazing art with that knowledge.
She loved baking with my kids, lego and building new structures and weapons out of paper and cardboard with them.
Losing her has left a huge hole in our lives. We loved her dearly and will miss her always.
From: Emily Chilibeck O’Connor
Relation: Friend/Family
I have so many fond memories with Sandy. From exploring her house, learning about all of her art and hobbies, to the fun she brought to our family gatherings.
As a child I remember going over and learning to paint Ukrainian eggs with her and her helping my mother sew my sisters ballet costume.
My son loved playing with his grandma; building blocks, playing cars and making music. She was always patient and loving with him even when he decided to destroy the towers they built or interrupt her piano playing.
She will live on through memories we have from our many holidays spent together. Her whimsical way of play that brought a lot of laughter and curiosity from our children and her thoughtfulness that showed us such care.
Sandy/Grandma –
Those special memories of you will always bring back a smile.
If only I could have you back for just a little while.
Then we could sit and talk again, just like we used to do.
You always meant so very much and always will too.
The fact that you’re no longer here will always cause me pain.
But you’re forever in my heart until we meet again.
From: Margaret Tames
Relation: Patient
Sandra was our family dentist for all the time she practiced in Duncan. Over the years we grew to love her. Her larger than life personality truly made “going to the dentist” a fun activity. We are deeply saddened by the news of her death and send condolences to all who knew and loved her.
From: sonja van lambalgen
Relation: my children and i had her as our dentist she was a very nice person,,,
she was a great person left us all to soon …when moved saskatchewan i still made an appointment to see her for check-ups on my holidays our condolences to the family
From: Colleen Davy
Relation: in a work capacity and later through family.
I had the pleasure of working with Sandy through my public health work. My grandson is the recipient of one of her amazing quilts. Please accept my sincere condolences to all her family and friends. She will be missed!
From: Margaret St Cyr
Relation: Musical colleague and friend.
My sincere condolences to all Sandy’s family. Yesterday was the first orchestra rehearsal of the year. I have been in the orchestra since its beginning some 27 years ago. I sat beside Sandy. I was always amazed at all the quilting, sewing and knitting projects that she worked on during the rests in the music! I have purchased two quilts and my husband commissioned Sandy to make a huge wall hanging as a gift for my 60th birthday. It hangs in the entrance to our home and one music quilt hangs in my music room. Both are works of art, admired by all who visit and are some of my most cherished belongings. The other quilt was for our son’s bed when he was young. I will save it for grandchildren that I hope I will have one day. Sandy was such a caring, talented and gifted person. She put in countless hours organizing the stage setup for orchestra and band. Many of these things were done without recognition. You could always count on her. I miss and will continue to miss Sandy. My sincere condolences.
From: Margaret St Cyr
Relation: Musical colleague and friend.
My sincere condolences to all Sandy’s family. Yesterday was the first orchestra rehearsal of the year. I have been in the orchestra since its beginning some 27 years ago. I sat beside Sandy. I was always amazed at all the quilting, sewing and knitting projects that she worked on during the rests in the music! I have purchased two quilts and my husband commissioned Sandy to make a huge wall hanging as a gift for my 60th birthday. It hangs in the entrance to our home and one music quilt hangs in my music room. Both are works of art, admired by all who visit and are some of my most cherished belongings. The other quilt was for our son’s bed when he was young. I will save it for grandchildren that I hope I will have one day. Sandy was such a caring, talented and gifted person. She put in countless hours organizing the stage setup for orchestra and band. Many of these things were done without recognition. You could always count on her. I miss and will continue to miss Sandy. My sincere condolences.
Service Schedule
Celebration of Life
Date & Time:
July 13, 2019
Beginning at 1:00pm
Location:
Open House
6159 Lakes Road
Duncan, BC Canada
6159 Lakes Road
Duncan, BC Canada
Memorial Gifts
The family has not designated a preferred charity at this time.
Thank You Notice
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