Obituary of Sandra Monteath (nee Pape)

Sandra Monteath (Pape) was born on March 4, 1942 in London, England and passed peacefully in her Toronto home on October 7, 2017.  Sandra lived with pancreatic cancer during her last year of life, supported by her family, an amazing network of close friends and, in her final months, the Temmy Latner Centre palliative care team. Sandra drew upon her Tibetan Buddhist practice to inspire us with her grace and dignity, humour and acceptance of her illness and passing. As in life, Sandra faced death on her own terms, taking minimal pain medication in order to stay conscious and aware at her moment of her death.  We extend our gratitude to all who supported and cared for her during her illness.

Sandra’s parents were Alfred (Alec) and Agnes Pape (Monteath) and her siblings Gavin Pape and Linda Davidson (Pape). Sandra was well loved and will be remembered by her children, Andrew Porter and Peggy Mann McKeown; grandchildren Gabriel, Joshua, Emily, Clara, and Thomas; extended family Mike, Lisette, and Ron; her many friends; and her beloved ginger tom-cat, Rufus.  

Sandra was an academic, teacher, writer and artist.  She held three degrees, including a Bachelor’s of Environmental Studies, a Masters of Art, and a PhD in Feminist Sociology.  She was a life-long volunteer, contributing her time and skill in municipal campaigns, palliative care, and teaching English as a Second Language.  She practiced Buddhism in connection with the Gaden Choling Mahayana Buddhist Meditation Centre.  She enriched her life with music, learning French, photography, painting, crosswords, old and new friends, knitting sweaters for her grandchildren, good wine and dark chocolate. While she lived a modest life, she supported many non-profits working to protect animal rights, the environment and social justice worldwide. In keeping with this, please consider a donation to Greenpeace in lieu of flowers.  Donations can be made in Sandra’s memory with the link provided on her Memorial Website homepage.

Sandra will be interned in a natural manner, as per her wishes, at the St. John’s Public Cemetery in Jordan, Ontario.  We will have a private celebration of her life for friends and family in the coming days.

Please feel welcome to share memories about your time with Sandra.

Uniquely entrusted to eco Cremation & Burial Services Inc

Life Celebrations. Done Naturally.