Sandra Merrick

Sandra Grace “Stretch” Merrick

"Kiitaa~Bines~Iikwe"

“Circling Thunderbird Woman”

Peacefully, on Wednesday, March 23, 2016, our precious baby sister Sandra, passed to the Spirit World at the Health Science Centre Hospital at 50 years of age, to join our beloved mother and our family in the Spirit World.

Sandra, also known as “Stretch”, was raised at Long Plain First Nation, and attended school in Portage la Prairie.  She obtained her Business Certificate and Health Care Aid certificate at Yellowquill College as she excelled academically. She worked at different jobs throughout her life from a 7 Eleven cashier to a Health Care Aid and to a Health Escort for disabled persons.

Stretch was funny with a sense of humor and a laugh like no other. She enjoyed visiting her friends and relatives whether in person or on the phone. She like joking around, teasing her nieces and nephews. Her favorite activities were playing cards, dice, going to bingo and she made awesome baked bannock.

Stretch’s friends remember her as a sweet, awesome, happy, funny, nice, lovely lady, who was always laughing.  Her beautiful smile would light up her whole face.  She was a loyal and a good friend to so many persons.  Her smile and laugh is always in the air.

Sandra was predeceased by her Parents Alvin Merrick and Edna Merrick (nee Houle), Husband Rodney Meeches Sr; Brothers: Douglas, Terry, Reggie, Gerald and Sister Andrea.

Stretch is mourned by her family: her son Rodney Jr (Melissa); her husband of 13.5 years: Marvin Jardine; her siblings: Liz, Roger, Rosalind (Orville), Hazel (Jim), Warren (Arlene) and Freida (Alvin); her precious grandsons: Cashton Meeches and Rodney Alpheus Philip Ross, numerous nieces, nephews and all of our relations.

Many Miigwechs to: ICU doctors, nurses and staff at the Health Science Centre for taking a brief but excellent care of Sandra; Chief & Council for their moral and financial support; all those persons who visited Stretch over the years.  Also to our sisters-in-law Gerri, Dio with their cooking team, who organized, purchased and prepared the food. Special thanks to those persons who donated food for our baby sister.  Stretch would have been so tickled and appreciative of your generosity!

Traditional Wake will held on Saturday, March 26, 2016 at 5:00pm at Long Plain Spirit Lodge.  Traditional Feast and Service will take place on Sunday, March 27, 2016 beginning at noon followed by her body being laid to rest in the Merrick Cemetery.

A message can be left in the on-line guest book atwww.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com