08/15/2026
Sandra Ruth Byers (nee Garbutt)
1948 - 2026
June 21, 1948 - August 12th, 2026.
It is with sadness for us, yet joy for her promotion, that we announce Sandra Ruth Byers (nee Garbutt) passed away at the Temiskaming Lodge in New Liskeard and moved on to Heaven, peacefully and surrounded by her loving family, on Wednesday, August 12th, 2026 at the age of 78.
Sandra was predeceased by her husband, William 'Gordon' Byers; parents, June (Hamilton) and Norman Garbutt; sister, Lynn (Garbutt) MacDonald; nephew, officer Andrew MacDonald; and her great grandson, Liam Byers.
She leaves behind her 3 sons, Bill (Holly) Byers, Richard Byers, and Rev. Chris (Jenn) Byers; 9 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren, all of whom would brighten her day even amidst severe memory issues.
She'll also be missed greatly by her brothers, Bob (Jennifer) Garbutt, Bill (Linda) Garbutt; brother-in-law, Rev. Joe (late Lynn/ Barb) MacDonald; and almost countless nieces, nephews, and cousins in both the Byers and Garbutt families.
Sandra was born June 21st, 1948, in Toronto to June (Hamilton) and Norman Garbutt. She attended Emmanuel Bible College in Kitchener, where she met and quickly married her life long love, Gord Byers, on July 27, 1966. They were nearly inseparable for 54 years until his passing in 2020.
Through the years, she helped with various ministry and business ventures across Ontario and Prince Edward Island, including nursing and retirement homes, farm and store owner, and she often acted as cook, planner, secretary, book keeper, pastor's wife, mother, or whatever job title needed filling at the time. She also had her real estate license and sold properties in the Hamilton area in the late 1980's. Out of all her jobs, her favorites by far we're always Mom and Nana. She loved children and family, including church family, and loved large gatherings. The bigger and noisier, the better!
In later years, Sandra and Gord settled in Belle Vallee, ON, and often hosted friend and family gatherings for any in the area, 25 people for supper on a Friday night was a common occurrence. She loved her church family at Temiskaming Church in Haileybury and could never have enough social gatherings there.
More than anything in life, even more than her beloved husband Gordon, was her love for Jesus, her Lord and Savior, in whose loving arms she now rests in.
Celebration of Life for Sandra Byers will be held on
Saturday August 15th, 2026 at the Temiskaming Church, West Rd Haileybury.
Commencing at 1:00pm
Pastor Nick Kostyc will lead the service.
A light luncheon will be provided after the service at the church for attendees.
Donations in Sandra's memory may be made to her church, Temiskaming Church, at: [email protected]
Sandra's care has been entrusted to Buffam Leveille Funeral Home.