It is with profound sadness that the family of Sandra Dale Wetelainen announce the passing of their dear mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend. She fell asleep in death on August 25, 2026, at Princess Court with her family by her side.
Sandy was born in Dryden at the Red Cross Hospital on Monday, November 12, 1951. She was the first daughter born to Henry and Edeline Wetelainen; she was a small baby which earned her the nickname “chickadee” by her great-grandmother Elizabeth Zoccole. She was a curious child always wanting to know how things worked, that curiosity once found her knocked out on the floor after sticking breadknife in an electrical outlet. Their mom recalled her older brother Henry running to her saying “Sandy’s not dead mom, Sandy’s not dead!” She could at times be a little mischievous, her other sisters would suffer the consequences when their father would say, “I don’t want to hear another peep out of you girls.” Sandy could not keep herself from saying “peep” even though she knew they would all get spanked.
Sandy grew up in the town of Wabigoon and attended high school in Dryden. In May of 1973, her son Michael was born and then in September 1974 her second son Damon was born. She took on the role of both mother and father with a spirit of strength putting the needs of her sons first. She worked hard to provide for her little family eventually owning her own home in Wabigoon. Sandy could always rely on her brothers Henry, Glen, and Carey if she needed help with her home.
One of her proud achievements was working for the Kenora Area Health Access Centre as the Cultural Coordinator for the community of Wabigoon. She started the Healing Arts program and worked with children in the community. Later she started a small antique and collectible store in Wabigoon at 8 Main Street and then in the basement of her home on Maggrah Road. Her flare for art and design was reflected in the eclectic collection of items she displayed in her home. She spent every weekend scouring area garage sales to purchase stock for her store. She had an eye for objects that she could repurpose and sell. She loved nature, gardening, and her goldfish ponds.
She enjoyed the time she spent with her grandmother Josephine Cone learning about native healing plants and making her own medicines and salves. She and her sisters learned how to traditionally process wild rice under the watchful direction of their grandmother Josephine.
The sisters Sandy, Karen, Leah, and Joanne would fly out to their father’s camp and spend time fishing, swimming, and exploring. Sandy and her sister Leah and their children Crystal, Jade, Michael, and Damon spent a great deal of time together. They enjoyed watching movies together, a movie called Silent Running caused Michael’s younger brother Damon to cry profusely. He found it heartbreakingly sad when the little robot was left all alone to care for the plants on a spaceship. They played dress up, spending time at the beach but their favourite thing to do was to pack a lunch and the kids and go in search of treasures often spending the entire day.
She rescued and loved many stray cats in Wabigoon during her lifetime, one named Grey Guy a large grey tabby who was her son Damon’s favourite cat. Her most recent cat Bella was rehomed to a loving couple when her dementia progressed.
Sandy was a child at heart so before she had her own grandchildren, she spent time baby sitting her first grand-niece Abby. They would watch her favourite VHS tape about dinosaurs, The Land Before Time together repeatedly.
One of her greatest joys was becoming a grandmother to Nathan and Mathew, the sons of Michael. They brought her so much happiness and she loved the time she spent with them.
The death of her son Damon at the age of twenty was an unimaginable pain that changed her life one that she carried with her until she died. She had a great and unwavering faith that she would see him again. Not long before her death she said, “I will sleep and Jehovah will wake me up in the new world.” In the last year of her life, she returned to Jehovah her God; she was welcomed back by her brothers and sisters in her congregation in Dryden.
The last few years of her life was a struggle as she dealt with Lewy Body Dementia a cruel mentally and physically debilitating disease.
Sandy was predeceased by her son Damon Kent Wetelainen, her father Henry Wetelainen, her sister Joanne Wetelainen Morris, nephews baby Logan Damon Chase Gardner, Evan Wetelainen, Kelvin Morris along with grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
The family would like to thank the staff at Princess Court who cared for her with such compassion during her last days.
A Celebration of Life will take place later.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Second Chance Pet Network, Box 343, Dryden, ON P8N 2Z1
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