Obituary of Sandra J. "Sandy" Campbell

It is with gratitude for a life well-lived, that the family of Sandy Campbell announces her passing on Friday, December 6, 2019 at Bobby’s Hospice. Sandy was born in Saint John on June 17, 1948. She was the youngest child of the late Walter J. and Agnes L. (Childerhouse) Campbell.

Sandy was a graduate of St. Vincent’s High School, the New Brunswick Teachers’ College and St. Thomas University. She did post-graduate studies in special education at the University of Ottawa. Sandy taught at every grade level in the public schools of the Saint John area. She began her career at St. John the Baptist which she always considered to be her “home school”. Then she joined the staff of Forest Hills Junior High when it opened as a new facility. She was among the first group of resource teachers who initiated the total integration of exceptional children. She later established the first resource support for students with Learning Disabilities at three different high schools. For the last years of her career she was both a resource teacher at St. Vincent’s High School and Consultant in the Special Education Department. Teaching was a great joy in her life.

Sandy is survived by her devoted brother; Michael W. “Mike” Campbell, her cherished nephews and nieces; Caren Doherty and Adam Sykes (Brandon, Alicia & Kayvon and Spencer); Tom Campbell and Lisa Cheng; Alyson Doherty and Tim McDonald (Lacey & Matt – Tyler, Dominic, Rourke, Raine, Raya, Vi, Octavia and baby Xander) (Mitchell & Cheyanne and baby Coen) and Colin Campbell. She is also survived by her dear brother-in-law; Gordon R. Doherty as well as numerous Childerhouse/O’Sullivan and Campbell/Quinn cousins both near and far. Sandy often said; “I love my family to the moon and beyond”.

As well as her parents, Sandy was predeceased by her brother; David S. Campbell and his wife Mary Elizabeth; her sister, Carolyn Campbell Doherty; her dear friend, J. David Lewis and special cousins, Elizabeth (Trudi) (Glynn) Finlayson and Dr. Sean A. Keyes.

Sandy was blessed with so many special people in her life: her cherished friends since childhood, Anne McLaughlin and Judy (McHugh) Riley; her god-daughters, Sarah Kunitzky and Petra Snook; her friend in teaching and in life, Colleen Poziomka; her “chosen” daughter, Jie Jiang; her “chosen” sister, Hazel Barclay; as well as the extraordinary group of women – “The Monday Girls” – their spouses and friends. Each of these people had a special place in Sandy’s heart and she loved them dearly.

Sandy lived a rich and rewarding life. She was an avid reader, she enjoyed puttering in her little garden and she could always find time to “go shopping”. She produced many cross-stitch works which were “stitched with love” and given as gifts. She was an amateur genealogist and devoted many years to doing family history research, a hobby which led her to meeting previously unknown relatives. Most of her trips were to the Ottawa area so that she could visit family but she also managed to get to England, Switzerland, France, Scotland, and the #1 place on her “bucket list” – Ireland.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Brenan’s Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John, NB (506-634–7424). At Sandy’s request, there will be no visitation. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Holy Redeemer Parish (St. Pius X Church), 316 Somerset Street, Saint John on Thursday, December 12, 2019 at 12 noon. Interment will take place in St. Joseph’s Cemetery.

Remembrances may be made to Bobby’s Hospice, or by donating a children’s story book to St. John the Baptist/King Edward School. Online condolences may be placed at www.BrenansFH.com.