MCLACHLIN, Sandra Christine (nee Pattison)

Sandra, a resident of Guelph, passed away peacefully on March 27, 2018 in her 71st year following a valiant battle with cancer. Sandy was born in a taxi in Toronto, the third daughter of the late Thomas Skinner and Christina Diana Pattison (nee Whyte). She is survived by her husband of fifty years Bruce, and by her loving children, David (Sandra) of Pickering, Andrew (Joanna) of Richmond Hill and Deanne (Philip Mullis) of Ariss. Sandy was the sister of Janice (Michael Pengelly) of Cambridge, Maureen McIntyre of Guelph, and Pat (Gary Morris) of Newmarket and is fondly remembered by her six grandchildren Kaitlyn, Rachael, Nolan, Quinn, Sophie and William, as well as brother-in-law Don (Susan) of Guelph.
Sandy grew up in Agincourt where an impressive string of academic achievement began; first in public school where she met future husband Bruce and then in high school where she was voted most likely to succeed and also stood atop the first graduating class of Scarborough’s Sir John A. Macdonald C.I. in 1966. At the University of Toronto, she and Bruce married after their second year and Sandy entirely paid for her tuition by winning multiple scholarships and bursaries. She launched her first career by working as a Therapeutic Dietitian at Toronto East General Hospital. 
In 1974, Sandy and Bruce purchased their first house in Oshawa and Sandy stayed home to raise their three children. Sandy guided her children through their formative years culminating in their attaining multiple academic degrees and each a profession; David (Chartered Accountant), Andrew (lawyer) and Deanne (respiratory therapist). After all their children were in school, Sandy completed correspondence courses and earned her designation as a Certified General Accountant, and received the gold medal for the highest standing in Canada. During all this time, Sandy learned horseback riding and arts such as macramé, sewing, scrapbooking, and stained glass. Sandy also wrote two books, her memoirs titled Through The Years and a children’s picture book recounting Nolan’s and Quinn’s adventures on a trip they all took to Santa’s Village. Sandy and Bruce also took many trips of their own, to California, Florida, Tennessee, London, Paris, Scotland, Fiji, Australia and New Zealand, numerous Caribbean islands and throughout Canada from Victoria to Newfoundland and her beloved Cape Breton Island. Through all this busy and accomplished life, Sandy has always been “mom”, “grandma” and above-all, Bruce’s “sweetie”, titles that she always considered her greatest accomplishments. 
Private cremation has taken place. A visitation will be held at the Gilbert McIntyre & Son Funeral Home, Hart Chapel, 1099 Gordon St., Guelph, on Monday, April 2, 2018 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m A Memorial Service will follow in the chapel at 11:30 a.m. Donations, in Sandra’s memory, may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society. Donation cards are available at the funeral home 519-821-5077