Sandra Hackson

Sandra Jean Hackson, of the Village Residence in Hanover --- formerly of Priceville, Toronto and Edmonton --- passed away after a brief illness on Sunday January 11, 2026 in her 85th year. Predeceased by her parents Alexander and Hazel (Sims) Hackson; brothers David (Helen), Neil (June, Janice) and John (Anne, Virginia) Hackson; sister Lorna (Sandy) Martin; and nephews Ian (Shirley), Andrew (Tina), Ross (Lisa) and Gregg Hackson. She is survived by nieces Marilyn (Paul) O’Dell, Leigh (Bill) Monette, Kim (Rick) Robinson and Heather Hackson, along with nephews Davey, Darren (Darlene), Kevin (Darlene) and Graham Hackson; Alex (Melody) and Cameron (Mary) Martin; Brent (Tanya) Harrison.
Sandra was a pioneer of her time. Fiercely independent, she studied at UBC prior to joining Air Canada in the 1960s, where she enjoyed many years in customer service, including working at the Maple Leaf Lounge and forming a close friendship with (then) Air Canada President, Claude Taylor. Sandra travelled extensively. She was a free spirit who loved nothing more than having fun. She also appreciated music, reading, playing cards and crosswords, politics and keeping up with her large circle of friends. She had a beautiful singing voice, and as the story goes, she was supposed to be the original partner for Ian Tyson before he found Sylvia.
Sandra adored the various animals in her life: Buddy, Peaches, Smokey, Jack and April just to name a few. They usually came as strays --- she fed anything that decided to live under her deck--- and would eventually coax them into her home.
Sandra spent almost all of her eighty-four summers at her family cottage at Trout Lake, near Parry Sound. The people at the lake were dear to her, and she forged close relationships that spanned generations of lake-goers. She detested a north wind, believed she could move the clouds away with a wave of her hand, and the bullfrog symphony outside her bedroom window was her lullaby. She felt a deep spiritual connection to the land and it’s creatures --- well, except for the bears --- at that special place.

Cremation has taken place. At Sandra’s request, there will be no funeral service. As expressions of sympathy, donations may be made to the Grey-Bruce Humane Shelter (Meaford), Georgian Triangle Humane Society (Collingwood) or a charity of your choice. Arrangements are entrusted to McCulloch-Watson Funeral Home. 

Sandra’s family would also like to send a note of appreciation to the Doctors and staff at the Hanover & District Hospital, who provided exemplary and compassionate care for the last number of months.

                                                                   I am a thousand winds that blow,
                                                                   I am the diamond glints of snow.
                                                                   I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
                                                                   I am the softly falling rain.
                                                                   When you awaken in the morning hush,
                                                                   I am the swift uplifting rush
                                                                   Of quiet birds in circled flight
                                                                   I am the soft stars that shine at night.
                                                                                 

                                                                           -Mary Elizabeth Frye-