A Life Well Traveled and a Community Well Loved at Sierra Winds
For Sandy, life has been anything but ordinary. From her childhood in Jamaica to her years as a nurse, educator, and world traveler, Sandy has always embraced each new chapter with curiosity and courage. At Sierra Winds, she continues to live her values of connection, learning, and adventure right at home.
A Childhood Across Continents
Sandy (whose full name, Alexandra, reflects her Scottish heritage) was born in Ontario, Canada. By age six, her family relocated to Kingston, Jamaica, where she spent much of her childhood before moving to Berkeley, California, as a teenager. Her father, a banker, brought the family through difficult times, even buying a cow and chickens when supplies were scarce in Jamaica, to ensure his children were fed.
Those early lessons in resilience and adaptability would shape the rest of her life.
A Career of Caring and Teaching
After completing nursing training in Victoria, Canada, Sandy became a registered nurse and began what would be a deeply fulfilling career. Her love for learning and new experiences led her to England for midwifery training and extensive travel throughout Europe, often hitchhiking and staying in youth hostels to fully immerse herself in each culture.
After returning to Canada, she transitioned into public health in Vancouver before marrying an American and moving to Seattle. There, she spent 25 years as a nurse and nursing educator. It’s a role she calls her greatest passion.
“I’ve enjoyed my life and lived it fully,” she says. “I’ve done what I wanted to do, and now I’m the person people find interesting, just like I used to think of older people when I was young.”
Family, Friends, and Memories
Sandy has no children of her own but is deeply connected to her nieces and nephews, who have always been an important part of her life. Her husband, who passed away 15 years ago, shared her love of golf and the outdoors. Their retirement move to Arizona was inspired by their desire to leave behind Seattle’s gray skies.
Why Sandy Chose Sierra Winds
When Sandy decided it was time to move into senior living, she trusted her instincts. “I had put money down on another place, but I knew Sierra Winds was the right one,” she explains. “It felt cozy and friendly, like home, and I already had a friend here.”
Since moving in seven years ago, Sandy has wholeheartedly embraced her community, even through health challenges. After undergoing four years of chemotherapy for lymphoma, she’s now getting back into exercise classes and regaining her strength. She has served on the health and welcome committees, as well as the resident council, and now volunteers in the Sierra Winds Marketplace. She credits the community with helping her heal more quickly and easily because of the support she received with healthy food and housekeeping.
A Home Full of Stories
What Sandy appreciates most about Sierra Winds is the sense of safety, support, and connection. “We are protected and safe here, and all our needs are taken care of — food, medical, entertainment, friends,” she says. “There’s always someone with a story to tell… artists, authors, so many people who have done interesting things. I really admire them.”
For Sandy, Sierra Winds is more than just a place to live; it’s a place where her story continues to unfold, surrounded by neighbors who inspire her every day.
