Sandra W. Pyke
Dr. Sandra W. Pyke passed away peacefully in Edmonton on March 12, 2026, with her daughters, Aryn and Kyra, and her son-in-law Michael, by her side. She is also mourned by her son-in-law, Robert, her extended family and many dear friends.
She was predeceased by her parents, Ellen and Alec, her stepfather, Jack, and her loving husband, Dale, with whom she shared over 63 years of marriage.
In Sandra’s almost 89 years, she lived in four different Canadian provinces. Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, she grew up and attended university in Saskatchewan, moved to Quebec to pursue graduate studies, then to Ontario to work and raise her family, and finally to Alberta to be close to her daughter, Kyra, during her final years. In a way, it was like coming full circle as Sandra had many fond childhood memories of spending summers in Alberta with her grandmother, Ann. Away from home, Sandra’s favourite place was Longboat Key, Florida where she regularly returned to spend joyful times vacationing with her family, walking on the beach, and riding her bicycle, even into her 80s!
Her loss will not only be felt keenly by her family and personal friends. Sandra also impacted many other lives, including those of countless students and colleagues, during her successful academic career. After attending the University of Saskatchewan, Sandra earned her PhD at McGill University in Montreal, and went on to devote herself to a career as a Professor of Psychology at York University in Toronto. She started in the Counselling and Development center, where she progressed to become the Chair, then later became the Chair of the Department of Psychology, and the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies.
Her professional impact also extended beyond York University. She was a prolific author of scientific articles in her fields (Psychology and Women’s Studies), and with co-author and friend Neil Agnew (also deceased), she wrote a textbook, “The Science Game” on research methodology that had at least seven editions published. She served as the President of the Canadian Psychological Association (1981-82), and later received both their Award for Distinguished Contributions to Canadian Psychology (1996), and their Distinguished Lifetime Service Award (2008). She was also honoured when her alma mater, the University of Saskatchewan, bestowed her with the Arts & Science Alumni of Influence Award (2013).
Sandra was decisive, generous to a fault, and had the courage of her convictions. Through her example and her explicit efforts, Sandra was a formidable force for feminism and women’s rights throughout her life. Both of her daughters followed her footsteps into academia. Sandra’s dedicated work ethic, organizational skills, and tireless momentum persisted during retirement, and prompted her to co-chair York University’s Retiree’s Association (2010), and then to become the president of the College and University Retiree Association of Canada (2014).
But it was not all work and no play. Sandra played varsity basketball and volleyball in University, and even went on to briefly coach the York University Women’s Basketball team. She fondly remembered cutting a rug with her husband, and frequently hosted and attended social gatherings with friends.
Right up until the end she was a voracious reader, an avid Blue Jays (baseball) and tennis fan, and an indomitable bridge player!
She will be missed.
As per her wishes, there will be no memorial gathering.
In lieu of flowers, for those who wish to do so, donations could be sent to the North York Women’s Shelter: https://nyws.ca/donate-to-nyws/.
I am remembering Sandra with great fondness. We were in grade school, high school, and university together — that’s a lot of years. She was a wonderful friend, a good basketball player, an outstanding university academic, and a person who enjoyed many facets of life. I will miss her presence in my life. Travel well, dear friend.
To her family and friends; Sandra was such an enormous source of inspiration to me. She was not only a model but a mentor to so so many of us. I am filled with sadness and longing for her presence and can only imagine the void she is leaving behind in terms of her immediate family. We, my partner and I, had developed the tradition of going for dry martinis at CPA with her and Dr. Shake Toukmania, and it was always such a highlight for which I looked forward to. I always felt so privileged that she even remembered my name, let alone share this tradition with us. She was a giant in my eyes and heart and I will miss her dearly. My heartfelt condolences to all who knew her and most of all, her immediate family.
Please accept my condolences during this difficult time.
I was hired at York University’s Department of Psychology when Sandra was chair. She was indeed an inspiring leader and an outstanding colleague who left an indelible mark not only on the department but also on my scholarly and intellectual path.
My sincere condolences. Sandra was a force of nature! She was Dean of Graduate Studies at York when I met her and our offices were right down the from each other. She was a voice of reason who could be relied on for her calm advice on almost anything..a talent that so few people have these days. I am thinking of you all with sympathy.
Yes. Such sad news but Sandra will always be remembered, not only for her impressive contributions to Canadian and Feminist Psychology, but also for the very personal way that she enriched our lives. I was a fortunate recipient of her personal assistance and inspiration in two ways. At the Department of Psychology at York university, where she, as Chair, made me a Course Director, and in SWAP (the Section on Women And Psychology, which she founded) that she encouraged me to join. She personally followed me through the years to see how I was doing. A most remarkable woman, colleague and mother to her wonderful daughters.
Noreen
My deepest condolences to Sandra’s family and loved ones. My professional path crossed with Sandra’s when she sat on CPAs Board and as its president. She was a spectacular member of the profession – knowledgeable, wise, incisive, funny and generous. She was a stellar role model and mentor whose contributions will long be felt by many.
On behalf of the Office of the Dean in FGS, we would like to extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to Dr. Pyke’s family and loved ones. As our first female Dean, she paved the way for others with courage, vision, and integrity. Her legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.
On behalf of my family I would like to share my deepest condolences. Sandra made a great impression on me in my early years and I have the utmost respect for her as a person and an academic. Her intelligence, sense of humor and caring nature are what I will remember the most. She will be fondly missed.
My deepest condolences to Sandra’s family and loved ones. Sandra was my dissertation supervisor, co-author on papers, role model, mentor and so much more. She was my supervisor at a most difficult time in my life and I credit her for inspiring me and encouraging me to complete my degree. She further inspired me to become the chair for SWAP (the Section on Women and Psychology for CPA, which she founded), and I currently work for the federal government at Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE) formerly the Status of Women. We are computing the cost of gender based violence in Canada, a monumental task, and I believe her teachings in school and life, have helped to lead me where I am today. I am deeply saddened by her loss, and wish her family to know that Sandra’s memory and impact lives on.
I was so saddened to read of the death of a friend of many years, a friend met through Sandra’s friendship with my beloved sister-in-law, Marnie Smyth Johns.
When a friend and I headed to the U of S in 1959 Marnie suggested that Sandra keep and eye on us. And did she ever!
We played basketball with Sandra, then she coached me in volleyball, and both my friend, Katy, and I remained in contact with Sandra up to shortly before her death.
Her remarkable career and loyal friendship sustained both us for these many decades from Saskatoon to Toronto, to Kingston, then to Edmonton with her wonderful partner, Dale.
Sandra with her knowledge, wisdom courage and sense of humour enriched my life beyond measure. I will always be very grateful that she took Katy and me under her protective wing where we stayed for so many years. She stays locked in my memories and heart.
I know how connected Sandra was with friends, colleagues, and especially family. I send my deepest condolences to you.
In gratitude for Sandra, Carol Johns Zakaib
My sincere condolences to the family. I was lucky enough to be one of Sandra’s last PhD students. I am grateful for her sturdy and generous supervision, her wise counsel and championing energy. It was exciting to be part of her research work and to be connected to a feminist community in psychology, which she actively cultivated and supported. She also gave me freedom to march to the beat of my own drum and at a critical juncture, definitely pulled a proverbial rabbit out of a hat to organize my defense in a small window of time between the end of internship and start of my fellowship. I am sad to hear of her passing- her memory and influence will always be special to me.
Hello Aryn and Kyta! I was messing around on “The Google” and saw that your mom had past away at the ripe young age of 89! And that your dad had also passed! I know it was a long time ago (32 years is a long time), but I really respected them and they showed me a lot of love and support! Both my parents died 4 years ago! My dad slipped away with or from Alzheimers (Probably spelled wrong), my mom died 6 months later of a broken heart! (That I do know) I am sure it does not mean that much but my thoughts are with you and Kyra. You seem to be doing well, so congrats! I just retired so I am enjoying the life of Riley! Take care!
Grant