Sandra Wilking

On August 9th my Mom, Sandra Wilking, passed while supported by her family. She was a determined person who expressed her love by showing up. For her community that meant public service, for friends and family it was hosting the best parties with the best food, for me it was always being available no matter the time or how busy she was. She was someone who could chat with anyone and was never afraid to talk politics. Never beating around the bush, she was direct and unabashed. She knew what she wanted and how to get it. She is remembered as a trailblazer and dedicated public servant, she is celebrated every time we feast around the round table, her spirit is deeply missed.

What follows is the obituary that my late father Wayne Mullins wrote before he passed. His wish was to share it with you.

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Sandra’s life’s journey on three continents has come to an end. Born in apartheid South Africa to Chinese parents with Hakka roots, Sandra moved with her family to Hong Kong when she was nine, graduating from Diocesan Girls’ School. She arrived in Canada to study sociology at Simon Fraser University, graduating with honours in 1972. She then adopted Canada as her home, a country of which she was fiercely proud.

Through her career and volunteer activities, she strove to strengthen the multicultural and multiracial character of Canada. Her first job after graduation was as a leader of a group of Canadians and Malaysians in the first year of the Canada World Youth program (1972-73) which fostered cross-cultural and international understanding.

In 1988, voters elected her to Vancouver City Council. She was the first Chinese-Canadian woman to be elected to any political office in BC. Later in her career, she served as a federal citizenship judge (2003-08). In citizenship ceremonies, she encouraged new citizens to give back to their adopted country by volunteering.

Sandra herself gave generously of her spare time volunteering. She was a SUCCESS volunteer (1981-88) including time as board chair, a board member of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation (1996-2000), the Vancouver Foundation (1991-98), the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC (2002-05), and a dozen other non-profit organizations. In 1992, Sandra was given an Alumni of the Year award by SFU for her service to the community.

In her personal life, Sandra focused on family and friends. Her daughter Alexandra and husband Wayne were the center of her attention. She enjoyed cooking and entertaining family and friends. Good food, good conversations and good laughs were important. On special occasions like Thanksgiving, Christmas and Chinese New Year, she would include those who would otherwise be home alone. For Sandra, the needs of others always mattered.

Sandra also loved to read and travel. She travelled widely in Canada, Asia and Europe. Her last overseas trip was to East Africa and Mauritius. She also had a taste for adventure: river rafting, a hot air balloon ride, a Serengeti safari, an open-door helicopter ride over Kauai. Closer to home, she cherished quiet time by the ocean at the family cabin in the Gulf Islands.

During the last 10 years, Sandra suffered from a rare and incurable neurological disorder called Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. She accepted her disease with courage, grace and dignity. She never complained, and she maintained her sense of humour to the end. She was very grateful for all the visits and support she received during this time.

Sandra will be profoundly missed by her family and many dear friends. Predeceased by her parents Rose and James, and her husband Wayne, she is survived by her daughter Alexandra, sister Ginny (Greg) and their children Mary (Duncan) and Steven (Lai Cheng), and sister Sylvia along with her sons Warren (Fatma) and Derek (Priscilla) and their respective children. Her brother-in-law Gary (Doreen) and their children Garth (Lisa) and Gillian and their respective children. As well as many cousins, nieces and nephews, in Canada, the UK, South Africa, Mauritius, Myanmar and China.

Our family is profoundly grateful to the staff of Normanna Care Home in Burnaby for the care they provided Sandra with such love and cheerfulness over the last 7 years. If you would like to make a donation in Sandra’s memory, please consider Normanna (normanna.ca), CurePSP (www.psp.org), S.U.C.C.E.S.S (https://successbc.ca), Christ Church Cathedral (https://www.thecathedral.ca) or another charity of your choice.

Her Celebration of Life will be held at Christ Church Cathedral (690 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC) on November 18, 2025 at 2pm.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Sandra Wilking, please visit our flower store.