April 27, 1943 - July 22, 2024

In loving memory ~

Sandra was born April 27, 1943 in Oakland, California and died July 22, 2024 in Courtenay, BC.

Sandra's parents were Ina and Ray Longmore who predeceased her. She is survived by her husband Darryl Pippin; sons Michael Johnstad (Stefanie) and Chris Johnstad (Kim) and granddaughters Zoe Johnstad and Liv Johnstad; her half sisters and brothers: Margaret Paine, Tom Smith (Libby), John Smith, Tessie Philips (Terry), Patsy Thomas, Richard Smith (Susan), Joan McManus (Jim); cousins: Carol-Marie Rosanelli (Tom), Patrick Rosanelli, and goddaughter Kelly Rosanelli.

Sandra was a lifelong learner: she had a loving childhood; she attended Mills High School, Millbrae Ca, 1960; UC Berkeley, BA English/History 1966; Cal State Hayward, Teaching Certificate, 1966. After a career in teaching, she was a founding member of CV Elder College, became its consummate student, and organized a lecture series based on her steadfast interest in arts and travel. At 51 Sandra studied ballet with her friend Mel, and she beat the valley's paths and trails when, in retirement, she took up walking with "fast" Patty.

Sandra taught in Hayward, CA for a year before emigrating to Canada in 1968 with then husband Byron Johnstad and her young children. Initially in Burnaby, she moved to Courtenay in 1971 where life centered on her sons' lives and her future career. Her teaching life was focused on her interests and enhanced her passions: she was a TA and teacher at Vanier Senior Sec. from '72 to '74. She then transferred to Campbell River School District, became part of a trusty car pool with her friend Deb for the next twenty years, and enthusiastically taught English, Literature, Art, and Civilizations until her retirement at age 51 in 1994. Sandra was a master teacher who was dedicated to her students and valued by her colleagues; she was always an elegant presence and her kindness earned her lifelong, professional friends.

She met Darryl, her partner of 49 years, in 1975. She developed a passion for travel and their journeys covered the planet. Sandra took on several hiking trips to Britain on her own, later encouraging Darryl to join her. They drove, bused and cruised almost every country in Europe and many in Asia. They circled the world on various cruise ships, and they visited all Canada's provinces and America's states in their beloved Airstream trailer. Many winters were spent in Arizona and California where both her children now reside.

So many of her travels were initiated by her love of culture, art and literature; she often returned to her treasured home in Royston with museum finds, textiles, paper, and books. Sandra loved fibre arts and crafts; she became adept spinning and weaving with her lifelong friend Anne, and she grew accomplished at crocheting. She was a water colour artist and created imaginative journals and scrapbooks focused on her innumerable journeys, the lives of her cherished granddaughters, and her reading group's choices—each is a testimony to a rich inner life. She was a voracious reader who loved English and American literature—especially biography and British mysteries—and her choices have sustained the valley's longest standing book club for 45 years; each of its 11 members have become the core of her valley family. A tree stands in Sandra and Darryl's names at the entrance to the Courtenay Library—affirmation of her passion for reading and belief in the power of education.

Sandra's life came full circle not so long ago. At age 30 she was told she was adopted; many decades later and with DNA tracking, she found her birth father's family—the Smiths—in 2018. She was introduced to seven half siblings. The Smiths' welcomed their oldest sister with open arms and a life-changing, warm relationship with this fascinating family developed; her family was complete. The closely-knit Smiths were raised near Carmel, CA, not far from where Sandra grew up in Burlingame. Months later, Sandra also found her mother's family in Colorado; the Lakes supplied many details of her mother, Bertha's, life. A highlight was visiting her mother's home in Kansas where she found a thread of her mother's life. No known record of how her birth parents met exists, but finding her family brought Sandra solace and fulfillment.

Sandra acknowledged a wonderful life; she cultivated her own joys but most importantly shared her knowledge, talents, and time with others—her friendship was a gift. Her love for Darryl, her sons and their families as well as her extended family, and her friends is immeasurable— "Let me count the ways"—and she will be deeply missed.

Sandra gracefully accepted palliative care; she unselfishly chose the end-of-life needs and comfort that the Aitken Hospice nurses and staff so capably provide—we are so thankful for their service.

In lieu of flowers Sandra would ask that individuals reflect on and support the activities and endeavours that guided her life, and that they live peacefully...