Atkinson, Sandy
June 15, 1949 ~ September 22, 2025
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Sandy Dianne Atkinson, age 76 on Monday, September 22 2025, at Bluewater Health Sarnia-Palliative Care. Beloved wife of Gary for almost 47 years. Cherished mother of Greg (Lisa) and their children Evey and RY, Drew (Emily) and their children Sadie and Caleb. Predeceased by her parents Doug and Agnes Bentley, her sister Cindy (2020) and her in-laws Norman (Pete) Atkinson and his wife Jean and Thelma (1986). She is survived by her sister Linda (Bevan) McFarlan and her brother Rick (Mary) Bentley along with several nieces, nephews and special great nieces and nephews. Sandy was a dedicated RPN who started her nursing career in St. Thomas, Ontario, then moving on to London Victoria Hospital and eventually finishing her career at CEE in Petrolia. Not one to sit still, she utilized her creative side and became a Floral designer working at the former House of Flowers and later-Gray’s Flowers in Petrolia. An avid quilter, baker and one who loved to sew, she later re-invented her painting talents as a member of the Circle of Artists. A renowned Judge at many a Fall Fair in both the Culinary Arts and Homecraft Departments, she inspired the next generation with positive enthusiasm and encouragement. Although she led a busy life, her family and her pets held a very special place in her heart. But those grandkids -ah …they were the highlight of her world.
Special thanks and sincere appreciation is extended to Dr. John Butler for his care, compassion and friendship over the years. To her Medical Team at the Verspeeten Cancer Clinic in London, as well as the Oncology Team and Palliative Team at Bluewater Health Sarnia -true professionals with such a caring and concerning touch. To her many “sisters” who were always there for her in so many ways. Words can never describe the love and respect she had for each of you.
In keeping with Sandy’s wishes, cremation has taken place and a family graveside service will take place at a later date.
A celebration of Life will be held at the Plympton & Wyoming Agricultural Society on Sunday, October 5, 2025 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
Sympathy can be expressed through donations to the CEE Hospital Foundation (www.ceehf.ca) or the Plympton & Wyoming Agricultural Society Homecraft Division.
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Condolences (111)
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Gary and family:
Condolences to you and your entire family at this time; you will be in our thoughts and prayers.
“When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure.”
Sincerely,
Jeff Dickson and Sheila West
My deepest sympathy for your loss. I first met Sandy from working at CEE many years ago and then she recruited me for “Ag in the classroom “ volunteer and then she recruited me for yoga instructor. She had a way of drawing people in. Her smile and energy were contagious
Connie Vandenberghe
Dear Gary,
I learned of Sandy’s passing through your comments at the council meeting October 8. Sandy was a woman of warmth, creativity, and deep community spirit. My thoughts are with you, your family and all who loved her. May her legacy continue to inspire kindness and care in Plympton-Wyoming and beyond.
— Doris St. Amand
Gary: Condolences From Shirley and me on your loss.
Gary and family, so sad to hear of Sandy’s passing.
My sincere condolences Gary, to you and your family.
Gary & Family,
The Forest Fair Culinary Arts Committee are very sad to hear of Sandy’s passing. Most of us only knew her from when she came to judge the Culinary Arts at the fair. She was such a wonderful person with a quick wit who was always willing to share her knowledge with our committee. She will be sadly missed.
Sending our deepest condolences,
.
Gary, Greg, Drew and families
We are so sorry to hear of Sandy’s passing. May pleasant memories help guide you through this difficult time. Our thoughts are with you.
Norm and Vickie Stewart
Dear Gary and Family
Our deepest sympathy. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Dan and Gayle
So sorry to hear of Sandy’s passing.Our sincere sympathy to you Garry and your family.
Jim and Linda Kapala
Gary, Greg and Drew, and Families
Our sincere condolences with the loss of Sandy. You are in our thoughts at this difficult time.
Brian and Milly Helps
Our sincere condolences Gary and family.
Gary and family
Noreen and I were so fortunate to spend time with Sandy at the reunion. She was so proud of what you had done, was doing, and planned for the future. She was loved and admired and will be long remembered by all who knew her. Our sincere condolences.
Gary,
On behalf of the Lambton Agricultural Hall of Fame, we are so sorry for your loss.
Joanne, Blair, Debbie, Irene, John, Bryan, Dave, Kyle, Ralph
Gary & family,
I am so sorry for your loss. Sandy looked so good at the LAHOF reception. I am glad I was able to have a chat with her. I hope that all the memories you have of Sandy will bring you peace, comfort and strength.
Joanne & Rob
” I will love the light
For it shows me the way.
Yet,
I will endure the darkness
for it shows me the stars.”
Og. Madina
Gary and family I was very sad to hear of Sandy’s passing. Sandy was a wonderful person. We spent many shifts together at Charlotte’s house. Lots of laughs,many conversations at work and on the street. She will be missed by all.
Gary and family, Sorry to hear of Sandys passing. I’m sure your memmories will give you comfort in these tough times.
Dear Gary:
I was so sorry to hear that Sandy died. I have many good memories of dinners with both of you at Lodge events. I’m thinking of you and your sons and their families.
Sincerely, Gwen
Dear Gary and family,
We are so sorry to hear of Sandy’s death. Please know you are in our thoughts.
Sincerely,
Donna and John Core
Gary, please accept our deepest and sincerest condolences. Sandy was a wonderful person in so many ways. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time.
Tom and Marianne Jackson
Gary & family. So sorry for your loss. My thoughts & prayers are with you at this time.
Dear Gary and family,
We are sending our deepest sympathy for the loss of Sandy. What a wonderful loving and caring person Sandy was. She always made everyone she met feel like they had been friends forever. She will be missed.
May rhe Lord keep you in his hands.
Gary and Family- my sincere condolences in your loss- Sandy was a great lady. We shared many happy times together since you and Murray were District Deputy Grand Masters together- lots off great memories.
Memories are forever – I pray those memories will bring you comfort in the days ahead.
Gary my deepest condolences to you and your family at this time.
Gary and Family, sorry for your loss, our thoughts and prayers are with you. Lillian & Gary MacGregor
Gary and family: We are thinking of you in this time of loss. Sandy will be greatly missed.
Keith & Wendy McManus
Gary I’m so sorry to hear this. Sandy was a great friend and co worker. Memories will keep her in our hearts
Gary and family, my sincere condolences to you all. I had the pleasure of attending a number of fair judging schools with Sandy and had the pleasure of learning from her when she has judged at our fairs. She was a wonderful person with quick wit and I will always remember the difference between a bun and a roll because of her humor. She will be missed
Gary and family, Wanda and I were stunned to hear of Sandy’s passing.
Our heartfelt condolences to everyone at the loss of such a great person, whom I liked to get wound up everytime she came to get her artist cards done – all in good fun.
She will be missed by many.
Gary and family, please accept my sincere condolences in the passing of Sandy , God be with you all.
To Gary and Family. Our sincere condolences to all of you. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the family.
Sending my sincerest condolences at this difficult time. I will forever remember Sandy’s smile. Cherish all the good times and your memories you share. She will be missed!
Tex, Greg and Drew, our sincere condolences for your loss of Sandy, may you find comfort in your memories as she rest peacefully.
Gary and family. Rob and I send our heartfelt condolences to you all on the loss of Sandy. She was a great force in this world and in your family. May your abundant memories bring you comfort in the difficult days ahead while you mourn her loss. We share in your loss. Sending our prayers and hugs to you all.
We are so sorry for your loss words cannot express how you all must be feeling. I know the short time that I knew Sandy she was very sincere in every thing she did. She encouraged me to push my paintings further. My hearts goes out to you & your Family Gary. Sending Prayers and Hugs. God Bless.
Gary, Greg, Drew and family. I am so sorry for the loss of a great woman. I loved the conversations Sandy and I had over the years. She will be deeply missed.
Darryl Moore
We are sorry to hear of Sandy’s passing, she always had a way of making you feel welcomed . A special lady who will be missed. Love never dies but lives on in your hearts and memories forever. Thinking of you at this time and also in the days ahead. Sincere condolences,
Such sad news to hear Gary. Sending sincere condolences to you and your family. We are so very sorry for your loss.
Gary and Family
We are so sorry to hear this sad news. Our condolences to you as well as your family.
Jim Saul
Gary & Family
Sincere condolences for your loss and hope that good memories help you get through this difficult time.
Dear Gary, Greg, Drew and families – My condolences on your loss of Sandy. Sending healing prayers and comfort during this difficult time. Peace Carey
Gary and Family:
Our condolences on your loss.
Gary and Family,
So sad to hear the news about Sandy.
An amazing, community minded, person. She will be missed, and, remembered.
Adrian and Lynn Verwegen
Thinking of you all . I always appreciated her ready smile and quick wit. What a gift that woman was .
May comfort and love be near .
Are condolences to you Gary and your family in passing of Sandy . She was a wonderful neighbour for us when we lived on Norman street .
We would like to express our condolences to Gary and family at this time of sorrow.
No words can replace the loss of such a beautiful soul…She will be greatly missed….Gary, Drew and Emily, Greg and Lisa and all those wonderful grandkids we send you our deepest condolences…Bryan and Teresa Thomas.
Gary, Greg, Drew and family
Our sincere condolences on the loss of Sandy. She will be missed dearly by the entire community.
Take care of each other and hold tight to your memories.
Thinking of you Gary, Greg, Lisa and family and Drew, Emily and family at this difficult time. Cherish the memories of your wife, mother, mother-in-law and grandmother and hold them close to your hearts.
Gary, boys, and all the family…
We are saddened to hear of your loss. Our condolences to you all.
Jim and Heather
Gary, Greg, Drew and families. We are heartbroken to hear of Sandy’s passing. Sandy was a beautiful person in every way and she will be missed forever.
Gary and family, We are so sad to here that Sandy has passed away Recently. She will be missed by everyone who knew her. Rest in peace Sandy.
Gary Our condolences to you and your family
Our condolences to Gary and his family. Sandy was a wonderful lady, she will be sadly missed.
Our sincere condolences Gary, Greg, Drew and family’s.Such a lovely lady that will be missed by many.
Our sincere condolences to you all at this time, Sandy was a wonderful neighbour on Main Street, Cherish the good times and wonderful memories. Greg, Leonie, Nicholas & Katelyn.
To Gary,Greg & Drew & families,
So sorry to hear of your loss of Sandy. She was a great supporter of the Fair and a talented florist. She will be missed.
To Gary and family. We are sorry to hear of Sandy’s passing and send our sincerest condolences to you at this sad time.
Bob & Vivian Coristine
Gary, Drew, Greg and families, we are so sad to hear of Sandy’s passing. May your special memories of Sandy bring you comfort and help you through the days ahead.
Dan and Nancy
Gary and family, my deepest condolences on Sandy’s passing. I didn’t have the pleasure of knowing Sandy but I know from reading the condolences, I missed out on knowing a wonderful person who is going to be missed by a lot of people. I’ve heard it said, “A great life lived, is the impact you make on people’s lives.” I believe Sandy made an impact.
Gary, Drew,Greg and families. Our deepest condolences on the passing of such a talented energetic good friend. She will be very missed.
Sandy and Dell
Sandy was the best baker of ginger snaps !
Gary and family, my deepest sympathies in the loss of Sandy. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. I will always remember her infectious smile; she was such a nice person. Cherish the wonderful memories and the love you shared.
Deepest condolences to Gary .Drew ,Greg and families. I had the pleasure of working many special shifts with Sandy at C.E.E. She was a great friend and Co worker. One particular Time Sandy stepped into my shoes and ran our Chronic Care Xmas bazaar which was a very big undertaking, and done an amazing job. That is the lady Sandy was. My husband was very sick at the time, and she was there for me. That meant so much to me and my family. Sandy you had a very caring heart. Blessing to you all… you are in my thoughts and prayers. Hugs Mary Ann Clark
my condolences goes out to you and your family
Gary, Drew, Greg, and family, I am so sorry your loss. Sending my sincere condolences. Keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers.
Dear Gary and family: Jeff and I send our sincere sympathies to you all. May your memories of a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother live in your hearts forever. Sandy will be missed. ❤️
Gary and family.
I am very sorry for your loss. I really enjoyed working with Sandy at CEE.
She was a very special nurse.
Gary Our condolences to you and your family
We are so very sorry to hear this sad news. I first met Sandy at CEE hospital when my children were born! We have enjoyed her smile and good humour for 38 years. Rest in peace my friend. Our condolences to Gary and family. ❤️
Drew, Emily, and family,
So sorry to read about the passing of your dear mother/mother-in-law/grandmother. Our thoughts are with you at this sad time. May pleasant memories eventually bring you peace.
Michael and Cathy
Gary and family,
Sending sincere condolences to you all. So sorry for your loss. ❤️
Denise & Jim McCallum
Gary & Family
On behalf of my children and myself may I offer our deepest condolences in the loss of your wife. May it help in some small way to know that others share in your loss! In our thoughts and prayers as you face the days ahead.
Gary and family
Sending our sincere condolences to you at this difficult time. Cherish your many memories and allow them to bring comfort to you in the days ahead
John and Shelley Freer
Gary and famiiy
Very sorry to hear of Sandy’s passing. My condolences to you and your family at this difficult time
David &Carol Alderman extend our deepest sympathy to the family for your loss she will be deeply missed
Gary and family.
Our condolences on Sandy’s passing. We will remember many fond memories of our travels around Ontario and great friendship during those times.
Barry and Wendy
Our deepest condolences Gary, Greg and Drew and family. May the best memories give you comfort as you celebrate her life lived. She will be missed.
Gary & Family We are so Sad to hear of Sandy’s passing. A Beautiful Soul has left this world. May You find comfort in all the memories You have made. 🩷
Love Gerald & Anita
Sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I thank Sandy for talking me into becoming a quilt judge at the fairs.
Gary & family
Jim & I wish to express our deep condolences on the loss of Sandy. I value my time I have spent with her over many, many years & we will all miss her beautiful smile & her willingness to help others always. Take care
Gary and family,so sorry to hear of Sandy’s passing.
Gary, Greg & Drew and families, sorry to hear of Sandys passing. Our thoughts are with you all and wish you many fond memories to guide you thru.
Sorry to hear of Sandy’s passing. May all your cherished memories bring you comfort,
Sincere Regards! Wilma Tichenoff
So sorry to hear of Sandy’s passing. My sincere condolences to all of Sandy’s family. She was an awesome nurse at CEE. Wonderful person.
Our sincere condolences to Gary and family.
Sandy always had a smile and was such a sweet lady.
Dear Gary and Atkinson family..So sorry to hear of Sandy’s passing. Condolences to everyone. May she rest peacefully.
Gary, Greg, Drew and family….so sorry to hear of Sandy’s passing. Sending our heartfelt sympathies.
My deepest condolences to you and your family Gary….Sandy was always such a kind and giving soul….she will be missed by all of us that knew her….my thoughts and prayers are with you at this time, Steve
On behalf of the PWHS I wish to express our sympathy for the loss of your family member.
Gary and Family, my sincere condolences for your loss.
You will be in my prayers during this difficult time.
Dear Gary & family
I’m so very sorry for your loss . Sandy was a very talented & loving gal who will be greatly missed .
Our deepest condolences
Gail & Ted Gravelle
Dear Gary and family – I am so very sorry and want you all to know that I care what you are going through.
Gary,Greg, Drew and Family
Sending you are deepest sympathy. Sandy was a wonderful lady. The time we have spent with her over the years will be forever in our memories.
Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers at the difficult time
To Gar and family. So sorry to hear of Sandy’s passing.I have many fond memories of our time spent at Charlottes House an later years at lodge functions.
Gary and family, sending my deepest condolences to you and your family. Loved working with Sandy at CEE and stitching with our little quilt group at Lotties. She will be missed by many.
Shirley Leckie
Gary and the entire Atkinson family. We are saddened to see Sandy has passed away. Our sincere condolences to everyone. May she rest in peace. Cherish your happy memories.
Beth & Paul
To Gary and family. So sorry to hear of Sandies passing. I have many fond memories of hours spent together at Charlotte’s House and later years catching up at lodge functions. My she rest in peace.
Mayor Atkinson and family,
May the wondeful memories you have of Sandy bring you along with your family comfort not only in the coming days and always.
We extend our sincere sympathies and will be thinking of you during this time.
Mayor R.Brad Loosley, Council & Staff – Town of Petrolia.
Deepest sympathy and condolences to Gary, Greg & Drew
There was no better lady to grow up across the street from, her kindness, smile and hugs will always be remembered fondly. She certainly left a lasting imprint on the heart of many – a truly special lady in so many ways.
Much love you each of you.
Mandi and family
Awe, our hearts are sad to read this. That smile from Sandy was a true appreciation of being an acquaintance/friend. Always enjoyed running into her at the shops or on the street for a good conversation.
Our condolences to you Gary and family. May Sandy be free from pain and watch over you as you navigate thru the days to come. Precious memories held close in heart.
Take care, big hugs.
Gary my sincere condolences to you and your family on the loss of Sandy. She was one of a kind and so very special. You have a lifetime of memories to share especially with the grandkids.
Sending hugs
To Gary and family, Just saddened that Sandy is not here with us anymore but she is now out of pain and at rest. May God be with each of you and give you comfort at this difficult time. Alan and Marie (Dawson) Stephenson
So sorry to hear about Sandy she was a sweet lady always had a nice smile and always would speak when seeing her . Thinking of you Gary , Greg , Drew and your Entire Families at this difficult time . Hugs to everyone Maureen Bailey and Family xoxo
Our Condolences to Gary and his boys Greg & Drew their families and all Sandy’s family members, Sandy & Gary you were a helpful and caring neighbor watching over my parents for so many years, We will always remember Sandy for her kindness, thank you so very much and now rest in peace, Our prayers are with you Sandy.
Deepest Condolences to the family and friends 🙏
To Drew & Emily, So sorry to hear of the passing of your mother and mother in law. It’s so difficult losing a mom and the void will be overwhelming. However, it is peaceful knowing that her spirit lives within you each and every day. It is amazing the strength you get from knowing you can always reach out to her in good times and in when the going gets tough. Our condolences to your family.
Our prayers are with you.
Rudy and Marianne
Gary and family…..so sorry to hear of Sandy’s passing….it’s been almost 50 yrs since I have seen her sometimes dropping you off at the Post Office parking lot in Petrolia to get to the ‘Petrolia Flyer” Commuter Bus on our way to Shell Oil….what a nice lady she was for the time I knew her…my sincere condolences to your entire family….
Bernie Baillargeon,Windsor,Ont
Gary and family. I am so sorry to hear of Sandy’s passing. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Always remember the good times. Hugs to all.
Our sincere condolences Gary to you and your family.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Deepest sympathy and condolences to Gary and the entire Atkinson family.
Many fond memories from CEE and at the numerous fairs as judges
she will be greatly missed by the community
Dave Steadman