(nee Porteous), artist, died peacefully at the age of 76 (June 16,1933-March 11, 2010) on Salt Spring Island, B.C., with daffodils and crocuses blooming.
Alexandra (Sandra) blazed her own trail and left a mark from her start in Arcola, Saskatchewan— through school years in Winnipeg, with summer trains to Carlyle, the lake, and her grandparents and through the family she built with her husband, Bobby: her three children Nancy (Kevan King), Rob (Lynne) and June (Scott Simmons), and her six Calgary-born grandchildren, Kathleen, Parker, Jillian, Amanda, Keith and Thomas—until her final “Salt Spring Moment”.
Alexandra was a communicator with an eclectic and extensive body of work both as a radio journalist and travel writer. She provided public relations expertise to The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Alberta, the Alberta Trucking Association, several oil companies, and lastly to Calgary Transit during the launch of the C-Train.
While living and painting in Elbow Park, Calgary, she was an active member of Christ Church, enjoyed golfing at the Glencoe Golf & Country Club and most importantly, loved and cared for her entire family. Away from home, she traveled extensively to paint in Europe and to work in Taipei and Hong Kong. As a “Snow Bird” in Arizona and Hawaii, she shared her love of travel with her entire family by including them on these, and many other trips.
In 2003, Alexandra became a Salt Spring Islander and embraced island life, pursuing her art and as a member of the Weavers and Spinners Guild, Painters Guild, Probus Club, Bridge Club, Book Club and a parishioner of the Anglican Church. As she had throughout her entire life, Alexandra continued to welcome family and friends to the beautiful island world she created and ensured that each visitor enjoyed treats and experiences meant especially for them, a ritual she continued until the end of her wonderful life.
A service will be held at St. Mark’s Church, 961 North End Road, north of Central, Salt Spring Island, B.C., at 2:00 PM Friday, March 19.
In lieu of donations or flowers, Alexandra would have appreciated those who knew and loved her doing something nice for themselves or their family in her memory.