MEHLENBACHER: Sandra Jean (née Branigan)
of Selkirk, Ontario, December 28th, 1941 — December 31st, 2017.
With familiar humour and determination until the end, Sandra Mehlenbacher passed away, at the age of 76, surrounded by family, after her battle with cancer at Dr. Bob Kemp Hospice in Hamilton, Ontario.
A natural storyteller, Sandra would have written a more engaging narrative here. Born in Hamilton, Ontario, Sandra attended Hagersville High School, where she met her one and only, Bryan Mehlenbacher. After they married, Sandra and Bryan moved around Ontario as Bryan climbed the ranks at National Trust, and together they traveled to Europe, Asia, and, occasionally, stole a few romantic or family moments on Caribbean island vacations over the years. Sandra’s stories about their travels connected them all and emphasized the personalities of everyone she met along the way. She enjoyed everyone and described each person she met in very social ways, appreciating them for their hopes, fears, worries, and eccentricities. Her two boys, Brad and Jeff, benefited from their mum’s social orientation as well as her wicked sense of humour, and carry on her stories, if you’d like to hear them. Along with raising Brad and Jeff, Sandra characteristically influenced those around her, with her daughter-in-laws and grandchildren all remembering Sandra’s crucial role in their lives.
Sandra is survived by her husband of 56 years, Bryan Mehlenbacher, her sons Brad Mehlenbacher and his wife Ashley Rose Mehlenbacher of Kitchener, Ontario, and Jeff Mehlenbacher and his wife Barbara Mehlenbacher of Caledon, Ontario; her four grandchildren, Emma Mehlenbacher and her fiancé Dylan MacKinnon of Toronto, Ontario, Eric Mehlenbacher of Caledon, Ontario, Eleanor Mehlenbacher of Boston, MA, and Frances Mehlenbacher of Cary, NC. Sandra is also survived by her sisters Patricia Gail Reeb and her husband Gregory Reeb of Alberta Beach, Alberta; Reen Ball and husband Donnie Ball of Arnprior, Ontario; and Gloria DeLottinville and her husband Lloyd DeLottinville of Caledona, Ontario; and her sister-in-law Ruthanne Mehlenbacher; her brother-in-law Robert Mehlenbacher, as well as dozens of loving nieces and nephews. Friends in Ontario and St. Petersburg, Florida, where her and Bryan escaped the cold Southwestern Ontario winter, also survive Sandra.
Cremation has taken place. Memorial donations in Sandra’s name should be made to Juravinski Cancer Centre: 699 Concession Street, Hamilton, ON, L8V 5C2; or, to Dr. Bob Kemp Hospice: 277 Stone Church Rd E, Hamilton, ON L9B 1B1.
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