32 — Wednesday. January 27, 1999 — North Shore News north shore news EIGHBOURHOODS Teaching to the end From page 34 Dureh/Sourh-Atrican heritage. When her publisher suggested she might be biting off more than anvone could chew — taking on apartheid, 2 mived face teen romance and disabled characters ~ Sandi merely smiled: “Thats me — just rolling along the edge...” Meanwhile, lite was again wondering what it could passi- bly do to faze this amazing woman. Inflammatory breast cancer was its answer. She was diagnased carly in 1993, with her boys then almost thirteen and eleven. Along with the difficulties of her normal life she now took on surgery, radiation and repeated chemotherapy. For nearly four years she carried an, business as usual. She learned to sail in a spe- cially fitted boat, part of the Terry Fox legacy. She flew the helijet, filled her sunny garden with flowers, dined out, took her boys and her own Mum to Hawait. She watched whales, played bridge, and drove to every hockey arena in the province. She was always a strikingly beautiful figure, a bird of paradise rolling through Ambleside in those vibrant colours that suited her so well. The wigs at the cancer hos- pital were usually for older, greyer heads, so Sandi_pre- ferred hats, especially when a litle of her own hair remained Recline. to shaw under ther denantly tilted brs. And when she did have to wear a Wack curly wig, she merely launched into On The Good Sip. Lollipup, watched by another bemused Black mop, her giant: poodle, Sasha. Together, they putin nian amile on the seawall. Nothing stopped her for long, not breakdowns of her chair, nor harrowing theraries, and certainly not the heedless who parked too close to her van for her to wheel in. A pass: er-by would be blithely com- mandeered to move the van — until Jim turned: sixteen and could proudly reverse his Mui’s van to where she could take her place at the controls. When her doctors feared she could not possibly tolerate any further chemotherapy, she said: “If you can buy me nvo more days with my boys, hit me with it.” We all wanted to hover around her, but slic shoved us away while there were still pre- clous days to be lived. Yer when the time came, there was no one ever more organized, more ready. When her doctors said it would have to be palliative care now or a nurse ar home, Sandi just said “Give me my van and Pm outta here.” Her closest helpers, Cheryl, Michelle and nurse Jan, took time off work to be with her day and night so she could be at home. This is the kind of love she inspired in all her friends. From the four bridesmaids who attended her at her wedding and all her fife, to the thou- sands who but met her once was cer Sool, and never forgot her. “Not now death, Pm busy. Maybe next vear.” She used her fourvear jearney — tawards death to complete and fultill an extraordinary dite, On the one Irand she mifhed every hour, on the ether she arranged: every detal of her tuneral service eveept the date, She asked tor Ler it Beto be sung to her boys. a song writ ten bya son for his own moth: er who died of breast cancer, A son who did not know then this killer would also claim his wile. Sandi slipped away from us with customary stvie and grace, leaving her peo “stars.” her mother, Eddie, her siblings and her army of friends all bereft, but united in gratctul awe. And even now Tife can’t quite stop this woman. Her second book, Shout to Score, will be on the shelves in February. Her sons will read it to her grandchildren. No, nothing will ever really stop) Sandra Richmond. Because Sandi's assignment that fateful night in ‘Thunder Bay was simple: To be the teacher she always was. She taught everyone she met how to live. And when she had done that, she taught: us how to die. As Patricia, her culogist said: every obstacle we would ff meet, " catastrophe, every hurdle, would be easier for knowing Sandi. Because of her courage, her joy, we might well learn how to let it be, — Wes Vancouver resident and auther Mary Walkin Keane was a friend and col- league of Sandra Richmond. Enjoy your nights... your days... your leisure hours... all in satisfying comfort... with an Adjustable Bed! "on premium sets B.C.’S FOREMOST SLE EP SPECIALISTS Family owned and operated for over 38 years 2949 Rupert St., Van. {o! Grandview Hwy) For info on our specials coll TALKING YELLOW PAGES 299-9000 iS IA18.. 434-9148 Bedroom Suite Reg. $1499 aree aun - “4 Entertainment Unit All Upholstered Reg. $1199 Furniture Now ‘899 Now 30% off ALL FLOOR MODELS MUST GO! 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