Sandy Stead

Sandra "Sandy" Stead (née Morgenrood) passed away on December 12, 2025 after a productive life marked by vitality, resilience, and deep commitment to family, sport, and the natural world.

Born in 1940 in Salisbury, Rhodesia (now Harare, Zimbabwe), Sandy grew up in Southern Africa alongside her older brother, Peter. She faced and overcame significant health challenges early in life, including bilharzia, malaria, measles and polio (even spending time in an "iron lung"), from which she made a full recovery.

Sport played a central role in Sandy's life. She was an accomplished competitive diver, winning multiple South African and Rhodesian national championships. She represented Rhodesia at the 1958 Commonwealth Games in Cardiff, placing fourth, and again at the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome, where she competed in the 3-metre springboard event, placing 13th. Her mother, Pat Morgenrood, coached Olympic and national diving teams for decades, while her brother achieved international recognition in competitive sailing.

In 1965, Sandy married Peter Stead in Rhodesia/Zimbabwe and together they raised two daughters, Kiersten and Liesl. In 1980, the family moved to Canada where Sandy continued to be deeply engaged in outdoor recreation and community life. During the 1980s, she served as Manager of the Calgary Canoe Club. She embraced travel and adventure throughout her life including driving a1978 truck from Calgary to Costa Rica, camping in Africa, and hiking the West Coast Trail. In her 60s, Sandy and Peter built a home in the Costa Rican jungle close to the surf, wildlife, and adventure she craved.

A fierce advocate for wildlife and natural spaces, she was tirelessly involved in environmental conservation. She worked for years with the Bow River Basin Council, the River Valleys Committee, and served as Environmental Director for the Inglewood Community Association. She was a passionate defender of wildlife corridors, river habitats and natural spaces along Calgary's Bow and Elbow rivers and was an active member of both the local Botanical Art Association, and the Calgary Rock and Alpine Garden Association.

Above all, Sandy was deeply devoted to her family. She took immense joy in her three grandsons Dylan, Nathan and Matthew, following their lives with interest, pride and enthusiasm. They were a source of great happiness in her life and she delighted in watching them grow.

A longtime resident of Calgary's Inglewood community, she was a true character- beloved, debated, unstoppable, and unforgettable. Her family has been deeply moved by the kindness, memories and friendship shared by the wonderful people of New Street. Your love has been an enormous comfort.

Sandy is remembered for her strength, humour, determination, and generosity of spirit.

She is dearly missed.

The family is planning a memorial event to be held in the spring in her garden.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Sandy Stead, please visit our Tree Store.