Sandra Darlene Hedley

Sandra Darlene Hedley
April 5, 1943 – January 19, 2026

Sandra (known as Sandy) Hedley was born on Monday, April 5, 1943 and passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of Monday, January 19, 2026 at the Riverdale Personal Care Home in Rivers, Manitoba. Sandy was born in Brandon, Manitoba and lived in a variety of places in her early years. In 1957 she moved to the Manitoba Development Centre in Portage la Prairie where she resided until she returned to the Rivers/Cardale area in the mid 1970’s, as a part of the Welcome Home program which was designed to have clients move back into community settings. Sandy had often visited grandparents during the summers who lived in the Cardale area. Sandy became part of the Rolling Dale Enterprises program when it first developed its day program at Cardale. She later became one of the first residents in their residence program in Rivers, Manitoba. Sandy was a regular participant in the day program at Rolling Dale until her retirement, when she moved to the Riverdale Personal Care Home where she resided for nine years. Sandy had polio as a young child which left her with limited mobility in her arm and leg, but she was not one to complain and would try very hard to improve her skills in a variety of areas.

For many years, Sandy was the first person one would meet when entering Rolling Dale as she served as their receptionist, greeting people as they entered, answering the phone, and daily working on the many crocheted afghan squares, which would be sewn into multicoloured afghans by the staff. Sandy enjoyed the many activities and outings, and the annual weekly vacation time at Clear Lake. She participated in the Special Olympic program and had numerous trophies to showcase her accomplishments. Sandy had a vast collection of movies and CDs and spent countless hours watching movies. She enjoyed music and played the harmonica and would readily entertain her friends at Rolling Dale. She faithfully attended the Rivers Community Church and would play her harmonica at their Christmas concerts. Sandy had a quiet personality and was kind in her responses to those around her. Many devoted and loving caregivers have been part of Sandy’s life, and she was lovingly cared for at the personal care home.

A memorial service will be held for Sandy at the Rivers Community Church at 447 Edward St. in Rivers, on Thursday, February 5, at 1:30pm, with interment at the Rivers Cemetery at 12:45pm, prior to the service. Refreshments will be served after the memorial service. Memorial donations may be made to the Rolling Dale Enterprises in Rivers, or to the activity department of Riverdale Personal Care Home.