Sandra Plumley

Plumley (nee Macdonald), Sandra Jean

Sandra passed at the Ottawa General Hospital on November 7, 2021 after a brief yet devastating illness. Sandra was born on July 26, 1945 to the late Alex and Nora Macdonald (Martin) in Digby, Nova Scotia. She was predeceased by her husband Kent Plumley. Sandra is mourned by her beloved daughters Christa, Toronto and Julia, Cayman Islands, and her grandchildren Kylie, Rhys, Maeve, Imogen and Brooke. Sandra was the loving sister of the late Merle Lynn Macdonald, the late Janice Morrow, Miriam Russell, Ottawa and Martin Macdonald (Linda), Port Hope. She will be missed by her many nieces and nephews and their families.

Sandra’s early years were spent in Nova Scotia and Quebec City, before her family’s move to Ottawa in the early 1950’s. After attending Glebe Collegiate Institute where she excelled academically and participated in school actives including singing in the Lyre’s Club and leading the school’s majorette squad, she continued her education at Queen’s University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1967. She later went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts Honors at Carleton University in 1970.

Sandra and Kent were married in 1967 in Ottawa after which they settled in Kanata and raised their family. Sandra was a devoted mother and wife who went above and beyond to support her family in all their academic, professional, sporting and community endeavours. She thrived on social interaction and had a flair for entertaining. She loved music, dancing and she radiated glamour, grace and refinement. Her extended family have wonderful memories of family holiday gatherings she hosted every year. In addition to being the heart and soul of her family, Sandra had a successful career in investor relations in the technology industry at Newbridge Networks Corporation.

Sandra radiated a youthful enthusiasm for life. She was actively involved with the Tornado sailing community through which she forged lifelong relationships with people around the world, and in 1986 even earned a spot on the Canadian Sailing Team in the Tornado class. She travelled extensively and particularly loved sailing trips with her dear friends. She cherished the time spent in Cayman and Muskoka with her family and friends. Sandra and Kent were lifelong Golden Gael and Queen’s University supporters and were both inducted into the Queen’s Football Hall of Fame as builders in 2015.None of these passions and accomplishments compared to her most coveted role of being a cherished grandmother. She formed a special and unique bond with each of her five grandchildren each of whom adored her. They were her pride and joy.

Sandra’s generosity knew no bounds. Her life was defined by a unique and effortless combination of kindness, intelligence, grace, compassion, sophistication and style.

The family wishes to honour Sandra’s memory by suggesting memorial gifts be made to the Terry Fox Foundation (https://terryfox.org) or to Queen’s University in support of the Plumley Family Student Bursary Awards (www.givetoqueens.ca/splumley).

Visitation will be held at the Garden Chapel of Tubman Funeral Homes, 3440 Richmond Road, Ottawa on Wednesday, November 17th, from 3-6 p.m. Funeral services will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 18th at St. John's Anglican Church, 325 Sandhill Rd, Kanata, Ontario to be followed by burial in St. John's Cemetery. Family and friends are welcome to attend a reception immediately afterwards at the Brookstreet Hotel, 525 Legget Drive, Kanata. Condolences, tributes or donations may be made at www.tubmanfuneralhomes.com

To attend the Visitation and Funeral Service proof of double vaccination and pre-registration is mandatory.

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