Sandra Harden

It is with deep sadness that Sandra Harden passed away from this world on Sunday, October 13, 2019 at the age of 59 years.  Sandy is predeceased by her mother Josephine, father Joseph and brother Gary.  I don’t know how to write an obituary, to have to write something so beautiful and smooth to capture Mom’s bright light is an impossible task. I can’t write so directly about all the puzzle pieces of strength, love and beauty that was Mom, she was a bloody earth-shaking force of nature.  Hurricane Sandy, the longest brewing storm of the century.  Only to be read of in the history books of future generations.  For those lucky enough to cross paths with Sandy, at first glance you’d see her sunshiny smile, candy apple dimples just below the cracks of her mouth and the sweetest, brightest eyes with cake sprinkle crinkles at the corners.  Sandy always looked like she was smiling and happy, even in moments filled with boiling rage.  Quite spicy too.  A little bit Joan Rivers, with a good pinch of Sophia Petrillo.  Belly laughs and her quick wit, it would be the best of times even in the worst of times.  You’d probably also notice her hippity, dippity style.  Clothed in ripped up jeans, the brightest, fluorescent embroidered flower blooms adorned on her signature gauze tops and usually a coat of many colours with her breezy blonde locks blowing in the wind.  A beautiful, six-foot-tall blonde amazon, you couldn’t miss her.  A special gift to be so authentic.  The most wondrous make up of Sandy though was the resiliency of her spirit, the plight of the underdog.  Beaten down.  Body limp and bones crushed under the remnants of concrete crumbles and ash.  You’re on the edge of your seat, your heart in the pit of your stomach, ‘It can’t be, c’mon girl get up, get up’, the somber music starts playing.  Then you see a few rocks crumble from the tip top of the rock pile indicating movement below, the music becomes louder and more aggressive, the ground starts shaking and an arm pops up from the crumbles and out emerges the beautiful heroine.  Cheers from the crowd and yet another victory for good.  “Do not go gentle into that good night, Rage, rage against the dying of the light”.  That was Mom, filled of molten lava and love.  The many pep talks, wisest words of wisdom and buttery, lovey drippy bits Sandy handed out so freely to any and all are what makes it so difficult to say goodbye.  ‘Remember kid, there's heroes and there's legends.  Heroes get remembered but legends never die, follow your heart kid, and you'll never go wrong.’  

Sandy is loving remembered by her three children and eight grandchildren Royal (Tricia, Whyatt, Trystan, Peyton and Kruze), Robyn (Sean, Noah, Jonah, Hannah and Ayvah), Amanda.  Sister Judy and brother Dean (Debbie).  

Sandra’s Celebration of Life is currently pending and will be published at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, please make an act of kindness towards another or spend time with your family, especially your parents.  Life is fast, fragile and incredibly unpredictable.  In life, all that matters is that you live fiercely. Never be tempted to hold in high esteem that which is replicated. Time and love are all that matter. You can always make money; you can never make time.  Make love known at every single moment, as it breeds and spreads.  Parents are special, mothers are special.  Givers of Life.  Be good to your parents.