Sandra J. MacDonald

SOUTH PORTLAND – Sandra J. MacDonald, 75, of South Portland died Monday April 20, 2026, in Johnson City, N.Y.

“Go for the joy,” she said in a phone call on Sept. 23, 2021. This was the spirit of a woman who lived with enthusiasm, curiosity, and a deep love for others.

Sandy, beloved mother, sister, partner and friend, passed away peacefully after a long journey with dementia. She was the oldest of five children, raised by hardworking parents, Robert and Mary Cooke, who instilled in her both independence and a strong sense of responsibility from an early age.

As a young woman, she felt the pull of adventure and became an airline stewardess, traveling to new cities, meeting people from all walks of life, and even crossing paths with notable figures. She carried that sense of curiosity and openness with her throughout her life.

She found joy and freedom in movement and expression whether roller skating at the A&W drive-in in South Portland, compétitive ice skating, skiing, or teaching martial arts and women’s self defense classes. She especially loved teaching others, sharing not only skills but confidence and encouragement. She had a natural gift for helping people believe in themselves.

She also had a remarkable eye for beauty. She loved Victorian architecture and interior design, and could spot something special in furniture, ceramics, glass or art with ease. Creativity, awareness, and a deep appreciation for color, shape, and form were part of how she experienced the world.

At her core, she lived by kindness, treating others as she wished to be treated. She was active, empathetic, creative, and deeply engaged with life. She loved to laugh, enjoyed insightful sayings and humor, and carried a lightness that stayed with her even through life’s challenges.

Dementia slowly took much from her, as it does. But even through the fog, her love remained visible. She continued to reach for connection, offering warmth and presence in ways that mattered deeply to those who knew her. That enduring light is what her family carries forward. She is survived by her partner Ron Scott; her son Darren MacDonald and his wife Gauri; her granddaughter Jaina and nieces and nephews.

Her family is forever grateful for her never-ending encouragement, her hopeful spirit, and her enthusiasm for life. She is credited with instilling kindness and love they continue to carry everyday. She was, and will always be, a guiding star.