Sandra Kay Sanelli (nee Thompson)

February 20, 1959 – July 28, 2026

With the heaviest of hearts, we announce the passing of our beautiful mother, Sandra Kay Sanelli.

On Tuesday night, July 28th, beneath a sky filled with shining stars and the peaceful glow of a bright full moon streaming through the window, surrounded by the circle of her loving family and medical team, Mum gently released the hands of those she loved and reached for the loving arms of Jesus, beginning her journey home, where she will forever be held in peace.

Beloved Mum to Shasta (Steve) and Adrian (Stacey). Treasured Nonna (Noni) to Keira, Olivia, Giulietta and Ayven. Cherished sister to Sherry, Sue, Stacey, Sindy, and Jeff. Proud godmother to Kyle. Adored and cherished aunt, great-aunt, friend, niece, and dear cousin to many. To every child blessed to have her in their life, she was Nonna—a source of magical love, boundless warmth, and the sweetest kind of spoiling. Predeceased by her loving mother Ellen, father Bill, and baby brother Jeff (her J.W).

Sharing many years of life and unforgettable memories with her husband of 49 years, her greatest joy was the family they created together over nearly 5 decades.

Her greatest legacy lives on through her children, and, above all, her four cherished granddaughters, who held a place in her heart that belonged to no one else.

They were the very heartbeat of her life and her entire world. They were her joy, her pride, her laughter, her reason to smile, her reason to keep going, and her greatest blessing. She loved and treasured them with a depth that words can never fully express, and she was endlessly proud of the beautiful young women they were becoming. The strength of that soul-deep bond and the love she had for them will remain a part of them forever.

We said goodbye to her here on Earth, but Heaven said hello, and her greatest reunion has begun. We find comfort in knowing that she was welcomed home by Jesus and embraced once again by the precious loved ones she had so longed to see.

Though our hearts ache with her absence, we are endlessly grateful for every moment we were blessed to share with her—beach trips (many yearly summer trips to Iroquois beach to sit by the water with her sister and "noni's" girls and the following discovery of "secret beach" which we loved attending together), nighttime pool swims, camping trips to Valens, scary movies, hikes, road trips, biking, kayaking and scooter rides to name a few.

Fall was Mum’s favourite time of year, and she absolutely lived for Halloween. She could have won any contest with the handmade Halloween costumes she created for her children when they were little, and later, the costumes she created for herself every year. The scarier, the better! When she worked as a school bus driver, she decorated her bus to a degree that would put a haunted house to shame. The school community absolutely adored her and it showed.

Mum dedicated her life to being there for the people she loved, while also taking on countless roles along the way, always bringing her own special touch, warmth, determination, and unmistakable spirit to everything she embraced.

She was on the original Tiny Talent Time series, where she showcased her tap dancing talent. She did Modeling in her teenage years, she went forward to work as a Hair Stylist, Lunchroom Supervisor, Security Guard, Restaurant Manager at KFC, Dog Trainer, Support Worker alongside students with special needs, School Bus Driver, and finally, a Caretaker for the HWDSB.

True to her adventurous and determined spirit, she was never afraid to step outside her comfort zone. She took on the challenge of martial arts, earned herself a black belt, and proudly competed in tournaments—proving that there was very little she couldn’t accomplish when she set her mind to it. She even took on trying to ride a hover board to show her family that no one can tell Nonna that she can't do something.

She had a natural talent for almost anything she tried. She dominated at paint nights, was an incredible dancer, and somehow managed to make everything she did uniquely her own.

She loved and enjoyed the simple things life had to offer, because less really is more; the nights when she could have scary-movie sleepovers with her “Noni’s" girls, complete with candles, popcorn and hot chocolate. She loved her full-moon chants with her girls. She loved listening to the innocent singing of birds, loved her sunsets, full moons and meteor showers. She loved the peacefulness of the night—sitting around a crackling bonfire, embracing the sounds of crickets, gentle waves, and thunderstorms.

She thrived being outdoors. Daily walks and hikes with our family dogs, especially a fall hike through the leaves or a walk down by the water—that was her peace.

Animals were a huge part of Mum’s life and held a very special place in her heart. She often reminisced about the many beloved pets who shared her childhood, speaking of them with the same warmth and love she carried for every animal she encountered throughout her life, even her pet capuchin monkey, Daisy.

Some of Mum’s fondest memories from when we were little were the moonlit horseback rides she shared with us and her sister. She treasured those magical nights beneath the moon and stars, creating memories that remained close to her heart throughout her life.

She adored her horses, especially her beautiful Palominos, and carried that same deep love for all dogs and cats as well, and the special animals who were part of our family. She loved and deeply missed our three beloved childhood pets, Shadoe, Simba, and Jazzy. We find comfort knowing that they were waiting to welcome her home, and that she has now been reunited with them once again. Mum often treasured the memories of our childhood visits to Grandpa’s cottage on Lake Erie. We could spend hours down at the water, playing in the waves, skipping stones, laughing, and enjoying the simple happiness of being together. Mum made sure her granddaughters experienced that same joy- spending summer days at the beach, playing in the water, soaking up the sunshine and creating memories they will carry with them forever.

Mum was always an Active School Parent Volunteer at our childhood school. She would stay up late at night to help with school projects and bake sales. There was nothing we couldn't tell her or go to her with. Her love was always pure, non-judgemental and unconditional. This would often end up making her a true partner in crime. Many "late night" pre-driving lessons at the empty mall parkinglots.

Mum's sense of humour will live on in so many of us. Those uncontrollable laughing fits she was so often the root cause of, never knowing what she was going to say next, or what priceless facial expression would accompany it—simply unforgettable.

Towards the end of Mum’s earthly journey, she fought a very unforgiving cancer with a strength, grace, and positivity that left everyone who knew her in awe. Through every challenge and against incredible odds, she remained an iconic inspiration—a living example of courage for anyone facing a battle.

She never complained. Not once.

As she would say, “I’m not going to give it any energy,” and “I am healing.”

And a healer she was.

She showed us all the power of positivity. Her strong relationship with God, her faith, her determination to fight to be with the people she loved and continue making memories, along with her humour and positivity, were the tools she carried throughout her journey.

She brought light, love, and laughter to the nurses and other patients in the chemotherapy suite at Juravinski. She was a warrior who, even in her quiet multitude of suffering, was more concerned with how everyone around her was doing. Her beautiful granddaughters stood by her every step of the way, becoming her biggest cheerleaders and her little army of strength. “You got this, Nonna!” they would constantly remind her—words of encouragement that she had so often spoken to them herself. Their love gave her strength, comfort, and countless reasons to keep fighting.

She comforted all of us—even her medical team—with love, compassion, and her unforgettable comedic one-liners. Everyone naturally gravitated toward Mum. She shone brightly, even on the darkest of days. Her big blue eyes and that beautiful, wide smile could light up any room.

Mum, you are our hero. Our warrior. Our brightest light.

A heartfelt thank you to Dr. Reade and her medical team at Juravinski Hospital, who committed to fighting right alongside Mum for as long as she was willing to fight—which was until her final breath.

And to Mum’s ninja nurses in C3 Ward, and her homecare ninja nurses, who always had her back, any time of the day or night—thank you. You all became family to her. You provided her with constant love, support, comfort, and care. She treasured every one of you and will remain with you always.

Her love will continue to live on through her family—in the stories we tell, the memories we hold close, and the love she so freely gave to all of us.

Now is the time for us to hold each other tightly and honour this beautiful soul by carrying forward the lessons she taught us and the words she gave us.

Life is short.

All that matters is love.

Have the big family gatherings.

Sit by the water.

Sit by a roaring campfire.

Walk in bare feet—connect with Mother Nature.

Bear-hug your loved ones and tell them how much you love them… every day.

Dance like no one is watching.

Sit and enjoy a good thunderstorm.

Love on the animals.

Sit and listen to the birds singing and the breeze blowing.

Be kind to one another, as everyone is fighting a battle of some kind.

Eat the cake!

(Chocolate mayonnaise to be exact.)

Mum chose a quiet goodbye rather than a formal farewell. In keeping with her wishes, there will be no funeral service—just the memories, love, laughter, and stories she leaves behind in all of us.

We know her beautiful spirit will never be far away.

Mum, we are honoured by how fiercely you fought the unimaginable—with grace, strength, faith, and humour—for so long, simply because you wanted to be here with us.

Thank you for everything will never seem like enough.

You gave selflessly to all of us. You were always our greatest cheerleader, our comfort, our laughter, and our guiding light. You taught us that perhaps the most important lesson on this Earth is to love without boundaries.

We take comfort in knowing that your infinitely bright spirit is now eternally free, resting peacefully in the loving arms of Jesus—watching over us, guiding us, and loving us, just as you always did.

Until we can wrap our arms around you again…

Love you always and forever.

And as you always told our girls:

“Be you and let your light shine.”

They will live just this way—because Nonna knows best.

“Ti amo, Bella.”

“Love you more.”

We will keep your spirit alive in our hearts, carry your story forward, and honour you by living with the same love, strength, kindness, faith, and joy that you gave so freely to us.

Your light will never go out.

It simply lives on through all of us. 💜