October 20, 2024
Sandra Mary Gfellner, 67, of Abbotsford BC, passed away on October 20th, 2024, surrounded by her family, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Sandra is survived by her husband George, daughter Kathryn, sisters Pauline (Massey), Darlene (Slevin), brother Peter (Marshall), and son-in-law Nikolay Ostrovskiy.
Sandra was predeceased by parents Tom and Margaret Marshall who immigrated to Canada from Northern Ireland several years before Sandra was born.
Sandra grew up in Maple Ridge attending St. Patrick's School and Maple Ridge Senior Secondary. Sandra was active in music and toured internationally with the Maple Ridge Senior Secondary Band. Sandra met her life partner George in Gibsons, BC in 1977.
They complimented each other as Sandra could not cook and George knew nothing about numbers. Sandra and George married and were later joined by Kathryn in 1981. The three accompanied each other across Canada in work and play for the next forty-five years, travelling as far as Dubai, and throughout the Mediterranean.
Sandra enjoyed almost twenty years as the Director of Finance for a National First Nations organization providing developmental assistance to First Nations across the country. Sandra loved her work and was devoted to her career, but never failed to take the time to assist anyone who needed her expertise.
Sandra's philosophy was to "start each day choosing to be happy." Sandra lived her philosophy and enriched everyone she touched.
Sandra's greatest love was for her family, and they deeply miss her.
Donations may be made to the BC Cancer Foundation.