Sandra Hillman

1946 - 2024

Sandra Margaret Hillman (née McPhee), beloved wife of Don Hillman, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family in Bow Island on Wednesday, June 26, 2024 at the age of 77 years.

A private funeral service was held at Southland Funeral Chapel, Taber on Wednesday, July 3, 2024 at 11:00 A.M.

Relatives and friends were invited to meet with the family at the Royal Canadian Legion, 5205 - 48 Avenue, Taber on Wednesday, July 3, 2024 between 12:00 P.M. and 2:00 P.M.

Besides Don, the love of her life for fifty nine years, she is survived by her daughter Laura Hillman of Medicine Hat and her family Tricia Johnson (her children Jaida and Jaxton), Samantha Johnson (her children Mike Jr. and Hunter), Nicole Johnson and Austin Quiring; her daughter Terena Hillman of Grassy Lake and her family Serena Sincennes (her children RaeAnne and Riley), Cherish Hillman and Chelsey Hillman; her daughter Cindy Hillman of Bow Island and her family Amber (Kevin) Jordan (their children Olivia, Hudson and Jayden) and Chace (Caylie) Wiley (their son Iverson). She is also survived be her sisters Lynn (Art) Ingram of Lethbridge, Penny McPhee of Taber and Candy Karren of Taber; brothers Rocky (Heather) McPhee of Taber,Randall (Dorothy) McPhee of Lethbridge, Rod (Michelle) McPhee of Strathmore and by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was predeceased by her parents Charles and Helen McPhee and her brother Robin McPhee.

Sandy was born in Edmonton on August 8, 1946 to Charles and Helen McPhee, the second oldest of eight children. This is where her family believe Sandy‘s love for family, sense of adventure and determination came from. At a young age, Sandy followed her family to Alaska, Saskatoon, Winnipeg and Edmonton before finally settling in Taber. Sandy completed her education in Taber and as a young girl, she had a few jobs but the one that she talked about the most was working at the Taber times with her friend, Jean Bullock. Sandy married Don on May 27, 1965. That’s when the adventures began. She started a family while living in Taber. Then taking a move to Tilley. While there, her and her good friend Kathy Jungwirth decided to open their own restaurant.

Sandy and Don then moved onto their biggest adventure of their life, buying a farm in Brooks and starting their own company, Mikon Well Services. Sandy loved farm life and being able to have all kinds of animals, from ducks, to Big Bird - her goose, Sandy her Collie and her favourite horse, Two Step. They did this for a number of years, juggling family, friends, farm and work. As the children got older and moved away, Sandy and Don decided to slow down and moved back to Taber. Once in Taber, she decided to go back to school and then got a job in Lethbridge. She later decided she wanted to work closer to home and that’s when she got the job she absolutely loved, Sandy worked as secretary for the Chamberlain School in Grassy Lake.

In her younger years, Sandy and Don embarked on many activities with their family from camping, hunting, fishing and boating but their greatest joy was going to black powder shoots. Travelling to the United States and any place they were being held. She would talk for hours about the different events they participated in and the friends they made while there.Wanting to share their love of these experiences, they started going to the Grand Forks in Grassy Lake, setting up their tepee and inviting family and friends to camp and fish. Anytime she had a chance to go to the mountains she jumped on it. She loved the animals and the scenery.

Sandy always made time for her family and friends. Being a mama was one of her proudest accomplishments. She would talk for hours about her grand babies and what they were doing. Her home was always full of love, laughter and good advice. She had a special bond with her cats and loved her morning coffee with the blue jays and birds in her yard. The memories made with mama are endless and the feeling of her unconditional love and support will be missed by all her family.

“Wherever her beautiful soul has been, it has left a trail of beautiful memories”.

Sandra’s wish was that in lieu of flowers, donations could be made directly to her family to ease their burden during this time.