Alexandra Patricia READ

HOLLINS, Alexandra (Sandra) Patricia (nee Read) Daughter of the late John W. and Patricia J. Read of Portland, Dorset, England. After a long battle with brain cancer, bravely fought, Sandra passed away at home in Ottawa on August 27, 2005, surrounded by her family. Dearly loved wife of John; loving mother of Maxwell (Isabelle Delage), Russell (Dallas Delahunt), and Fraser (Anastasia Polito); loving grandmother of Philip and Eric, and step-grandmother of Averi and Aaron. Also survived in England and sadly missed by dear sister Jacqueline Trevett and by uncle "Boy" (Herbert Gordon Francis Male); sister-in-law Elizabeth Griffiths and nieces Katharine, Hannah, and Lucy; and aunt Rita (Lees); and by many friends and cousins in Canada, the United Kingdom, Sri Lanka, and the United States. Thanks for heart-warming memories of so many wonderful times spent together. Love to you all, Sandra. The Hollins family thanks: Dr. Ahmed Sati, her family doctor; the multitude of wonderful people at the Ottawa Hospital (Civic and General Campuses, and the Ottawa Regional Cancer Centre), and the Elisabeth Bruyre Rehabilitation Centre; and the dedicated team of nurses and personal support workers who cared for her at home Dr. Louise Coulombe provided loving and professional palliative care at home for 12 weeks, which was a privilege for Sandra and the family. After a teaching career in England, Sandra emigrated to Canada with John in 1965. Sandra quickly became a fervent Canadian - even enjoying the winters! She was a political activist and served from 1985 to 1999 as Returning Officer for the provincial riding of Carleton East. She believed firmly in a bilingual country with a strong central government. One of the passions of her life was music. Sandra sang in a variety of choirs from the age of six years. Following a year in France in 1975, she and John joined Les Chansonniers de Gloucester. She served as treasurer for five years and as librarian for 24 years. She was also a keen supporter of the Ottawa Youth Orchestra Academy, serving as treasurer for six years. An early fan of the National Arts Cenre, especially its Orchestra, she was a committed subscriber. She also supported the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra, the Ottawa Chamber Music Festival, and the Ottawa Jazz Festival. There will be no visitation, but friends and neighbours are invited to meet the family before and after a bilingual mass to celebrate Sandra's life at 12 noon on Saturday, September 3 at lglise St-Claude, 2599 Innes Road (at Southpark). Following the mass, there will be a lunch at the church. Family flowers only, please; donations, if you so wish, to reflect Sandras interests mentioned above, care of Heritage Funeral Home, 2871 St. Joseph Blvd., Orleans, ON, K1C 1G8. Condolences and donations may also be made at: www.heritagefh.ca Heritage Funeral Home (613) 830-2305 Published in the Ottawa Citizen on 8/30/2005