Sandra Buffone—a beacon of love, joy, and unyielding courage—died on the cold morning of April 20, 2024, after a long struggle with ALS. Sandra’s light faded at the age of 57, surrounded by her loving family in Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre’s Intensive Care Unit. What a ride you’ve had, Sandra…
Sandra, born to Maria and Giuseppe Floreancig—hardworking immigrants with open hearts and homes—was Irene and Albert’s cherished baby sister. Sandra’s youth was a vibrant mosaic of Italian songs, delectable fragrances, and continual laughing, all of which helped to shape her into a feisty, powerful, and spirited individual. She was the family’s spark, and she blazed brightly!
Sandra’s lasting friendships began at St. Joseph and Port Arthur Collegiate, where Maria, Rose, Lily, and Silvanna became more than just friends; they were her spiritual sisters. Then came Peter, her high school sweetheart and partner in every way. They created a life full of love and shared loves, including travel, movies, dance, and hockey excursions with their children. Those road excursions, bright adventures, and quiet movie nights—how lovely they were!
Sandra has a passion for fashion. She was a natural on the runway, with her beautiful outfits and appealing presence. Sandra shone brightly on stage, so modeling wasn’t only a hobby for her. Her academic ambitions took her to Lakehead University, where she studied French and Spanish, demonstrating her passion for cultures and communication. Her career at Service Ontario was more than just a job; it was where her heart touched many people’s lives, and her mornings were painted with the sunrise over the Sleeping Giant, which she enjoyed.
Sandra’s heart actually resided at home, embedded in the fabric of her children’s lives. Sandra was the supermom every child dreams of, providing nutritious meals, cheering on Janessa in dancing, and transporting Max and Jackson to sports. Her “Dance Moms” group, which included Dawne, Fatima, Julie, and others, shared not only tasks but also numerous moments of laughter and support.
Sandra’s generosity has no limitations. Her dedication to philanthropy, enthusiasm for arranging fundraisers, and natural role as the community’s backbone were unequaled. What about the early mornings? They were Sandra through and through—making lunches, strolling Zoe and Emma, and celebrating the sunrise with her beloved RED ZONE staff.
Her final days were made easier by angels disguised as nurses and friends, particularly Crystal Danko, whose devotion to Sandra’s comfort was nothing short of extraordinary. Our thankfulness has no boundaries.
As we prepare to say our final goodbyes in St. Anthony’s R.C. Church on Wednesday, April 24th, 2024, we ask you to join us in celebrating a life well lived. Sandra’s tale will be presented through the lives of people she loved so much, including Peter, Janessa, Jackson, Maxwell, and her large, loving family.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Canadian ALS Society or the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation – ICU, both of which gave Sandra with comfort and dignity.
Sandra, we will miss you in the peaceful times and the bustling days. We will miss our life together and the dreams we had yet to realize. But what about your legacy? It is eternal. It’s woven into the fabric of our life, our children’s laughter, and the spaces you previously occupied so completely. Goodbye for now, but not indefinitely.
While we remember and commemorate…
Let us pause here. Let Legacy Lane remind us that Sandra’s path, her spirit, is woven into the fabric of every story we treasure. Sandra Buffone will live on in these stories, in these shared experiences, in the echoes of our laughter and whispers of our tears.
