Sandra left us February 06, 2026
In 1951 the great physician and humanitarian, Albert Schwitzer addressed the graduating class at one of the Ivy League Universities. He ended his speech with, “…the one thing I know; …the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve.” By all accounts, including her own, Sandra had a very happy life. If you knew Sandra, you loved her and she made you feel special.
She was born in Comox, B.C. to Pearl and George Taylor on 19 March, 1951. She had an older sister, Vicki, who predeceased her. She is survived by her husband, Terry Lee and her niece, Jane. As important to her as she was to them, are friends, too numerous to list, and all would describe their relationship with her as “close”.
Graduating in Victoria from Mt. Douglas High School in 1969 she followed in her mother’s footsteps and graduated from nursing school in 1971. After nine months working as a nurse, she returned to school to study geology and then on to medical school, receiving her M.D. from the University of Calgary in 1981.
Sandra practiced family medicine in Victoria and ultimately focused on surgery, assisting in General Surgery and Plastic Surgery. She would often enter the operating theatre in the morning and say to the attending surgeon, “I am your opposition today.” Nothing could be further from the truth. Every patient she attended in the operating room had a better outcome because of her presence. Operating room nurses, surgeons and anesthetists all knew it would be a good day if Sandra walked through the door. Surgery was her first love in medicine and she excelled. So much so that the final years of her career were spent treating patients with skin cancer. She truly loved her patients and they adored her. Although all doctors bear the title, ‘physician and surgeon’, Sandra was indeed a physician and a surgeon.
Sandra cannot be defined by a career in medicine alone. She loved gardening. In midlife she purchased a rocky slope of land and with the help of her good friend Alex, she turned it into a garden that would rival that of Mrs. Butchart. She and Terry expanded it to include a deluxe chicken coop and a market garden. She arranged the flowers she grew into amazing pieces of art. As a lifelong learner she travelled abroad to work with silversmiths and became a remarkably creative jeweler. Those fortunate enough to have her work will continue to think of her each time they wear one of her creations. She and Terry bred poodles and labradoodles. But where she truly excelled was as a friend.
Those who experienced the embrace of her friendship are so fortunate. Those characteristics that made her a good doctor – kindness, compassion, a nurturing spirit and generosity, are those things that made her a wonderful friend. She built bridges among her wide circle of friends. How many dinners did she host? How many parties did we have – all punctuated by that wonderful belly laugh she couldn’t control? Her drink of choice was champagne – its own effervescence matched only by her bubbly personality. There will be no more parties quite like that.
She and Terry travelled extensively, often in the company of friends. She was endlessly curious and always up for an adventure. If you travelled with her, you always saw more, experienced more culture and upon arriving home, wanted to head off with her once again.
Sandra was always in service in some way and to someone. The last months of her life were challenging. She met and handled that challenge as she lived her life – with dignity, grace and a pearl necklace. Those of us left to grieve, do so, but have the good fortune to have known and loved Sandra and have her memory indelibly etched in our memories. We are so proud of her.
The world is a smaller place without her. Will we miss her? Incredibly. Will we forget her? Never.
Goodbye dear Sandra and thank you for everything.
A Celebration of Life will be held in the Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive, Victoria, on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at 2:00pm.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
This obituary is the property of the “Taylor” family and may not be reproduced, distributed, or altered in any way without prior written consent.
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Donna Cottell
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Chris & Jochen Moehr Dear Terry,
We read with great sadness of the passing of your dear Sandra, but at the same time were overcome with thoughts and reminiscences of her ever-present beaming smile and infectious laughter – how so well caught in your remarkable write-up in our local paper.
That publication brought back some delightful memories – we cherish the times that we shared social occasions at both your home and our farm, dominated by Sandra’s never-ending smiles and infectious laughter. One occasion, in particular, comes to mind … it took place in our ‘sunroom’ at which time we showed a video of Jochen in the garden speaking at length about the East Friesian version of Kohl and Pinkel. The video was in fact hilarious, but no one enjoyed it as much as Sandra who responded with a delightful outburst of heart-felt laughter.
As you well know, Sandra spent her life bringing joy to all those she encountered, both socially and professionally. She was referenced to us numerous times as a superb surgical talent by such prestigious clinicians as Dr. Pat Marshall and many others. You expressed it so well in your write-up that this world will be a smaller place without her. She will indeed be missed but never forgotten!
Thinking of you . . . .Chris and Jochen
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Pat & William (Bud) Lamb Dear Terry.
We were sad to read of Sandra’s Passing. Her best place was here on earth. It has been a long time since we last saw you two. I still remember being at your home and the little kids all running together happily holding up flags (It was so cute) you guys had made for them in what must have been a treasure hunt that Sandra had organized for the little ones.
She was a special lady. Our deepest sympathies.
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Jo Ann Arnason Dear Terry. I know you must be devastated by your loss of Sandra. You were both so kind to me when I needed a place to live and you offered up your bedsit suite. Sandra was so generous to me when I first started my practice and she helped me find some extra work. She was such a naturally joyful person.
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Will Orrom It was a privilege to call Sandra my friend. She was my first surgical assistant when I arrived in Victoria in 2000. She helped me navigate those early days on arriving in a new place with new faces and a new culture. She and Terry’s dinner parties were legendary and unforgettable. Sandra was such a kind person with a real zest for life. I will miss her.
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Maurice Randall I am very sad to hear of Sandra’s passing. Sandra radiated warmth and friendship, embracing life with an adventurous spirit and an endless curiosity for learning. Her kindness and compassion will always be remembered. I am truly grateful for having known such a lovely person.
Maurice Randall
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Ane Marie Bennett Dear Terry and family,
We are so very sad to hear of Sandra’s passing. Over the years, we enjoyed her company at various occasions. She was always kind and generous and interested in how we were doing. Her legacy is truly one of accomplishments and we shall remember her as a great lady. We send you our deepest condolences.
Ane Marie and Tom Bennett
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Ruth Whitten As a very lucky lady that had the care of Dr Taylor I want to say every word said is so true, such a Terrific lady, always a smile, that made the nerves relax, A great loss to the medical world
Cousin Sandra will certainly be missed by all who knew her !
Her life of service was enormous!