Sandra Wilson
Born: 16 November 1952
Died: 28 September 2005
IN HEALESVILLE in the early 1970s a young woman invited out on a first date might expect to be asked to go to the pictures, the local dance or a party.
For young pharmacy assistant Sandy Richards an invitation by husbandtobe Greg Wilson to watch him run a 10 mile race in Carlton was a prescription for the future marriage, mateship, two treasured children, Dan and Kim, lots of friends and a fulfilling life.
In fact, for Sandy who was a keen baton twirler and Healesville Tennis Club champion at the time, the mutual interest in sport was an inspired beginning which would remain a shared passion for the couple over their 32 years together.
Sandra Richards was truly a born and bred Healesvillian, a title she was proud of. She was born at Healesville Hospital on 16 November, 1952, the first of Richard (Dick) and Enid’s three children and a sister to John and Pam.
Enid said Sandy was a delightful child who took pleasure in simple things, but most of all her pets lots of cats and kittens, a dog and a lamb. She loved feeding the chooks and was ‘mum’ to Abigail, a chicken she rescued in the rain after a fox took the mother hen.
One of her mother’s most treasured memories is of a pretty threeyearold making the presentations at the local debutante ball.
She was a bright, enthusiastic student at Healesville Primary and matriculated at Healesville High School where she had served as a house captain. She loved sport, especially tennis. Wherever they lived, Sandy was involved in and shone at tennis.
Rick Highett paid tribute to her contribution to local tennis.
“In her second year of tennis she defeated Beryl Ayres for the club championship in 1972 no mean feat,” he said. She retained the title in ‘73 and ‘74.
Mr Highett said she was gracious both in defeat and in victory. He said she would apologise to her partners if she made an unforced error, and to her losing opponents if she thought she had won with a lucky shot.
She went on to develop a passion for golf, played badminton and squash, and, of course, as part of the Richards family tradition, she was the typical fanatical Collingwood supporter.
It was as a pharmacy assistant at McIntosh’s Pharmacy in 1973 that she met Greg, a regiment aid post medic with the School of Army Health in Healesville.
“Can you fill these prescriptions and what are you doing next Saturday afternoon,” was Greg’s smooth line. And, it worked.
Sandy and Greg married on 30 November 1974 at Healesville Uniting Church.
Over the next 20 years army life took the couple to places including Townsville, Ingleburn, Seymour and, in 1985, back to the Army School of Health. In 1990 the family returned to civilian life, building their own home in Toolangi.
Throughout her life Sandy was a hard worker, ready to take on any job.
She particularly loved working in her own community as assistant manager at the Toolangi General Store.
Greg said her four years working for John and Michelle Marshall, the loving friendship they developed, their great support, and the interaction with the locals, came together as a high point in her life.
He said in whatever she did, she was honest, loyal, conscientious and friendly.
The focus of her life was family, friends and sport. She was a loved and loving wife and relished her role as an affectionate, loving and protective mother to Dan and Kim. “She was a prodigious rememberer of birthdays and other events and a great card sender,” Greg said.
For relaxation Sandy loved nothing better than to sit and watch old classic movies and to get out in the garden.
Greg said Sandy’s dignity and ability to confront and solve difficult situations were thoroughly tested by cancer over the final three years of her life.
“It is amazing how optimistic and uncomplaining she was right to the end,” he said with admiration.
Sandy Wilson died on 28 September, 2005. She will be sadly missed by her family and many friends.
