Sandi Ouellette

Sandra Ouellette sadly passed away on June 10, 2026, from a cause unrelated to her aortic dissection.

For 12.5 years, Sandra lived with an aortic dissection with remarkable courage and incredible strength. Although her diagnosis forever changed her life, she never let it define who she was. Instead, she faced each challenge with determination, teaching all of us what it means to find hope in difficult moments and to keep moving forward one day at a time.

Her journey was not an easy one, but every day she survived was a gift. Our family will always be grateful for the extra years, the memories, and the moments we were blessed to share because of her strength, even on the hardest days.

Aortic Hope held a special place in Sandra's heart and was one of the shining lights that kept her going over the years. The support of its online community and the many friends she made there reminded her that she was never alone. She was proud to share her story because she believed that awareness saves lives. She wanted others to understand what an aortic dissection and aortic disease are, and she hoped more people would recognize the signs and seek medical care when something didn't feel right. It meant so much to her to know that her journey might help even one person receive the care they needed in time.

Continuing to spread awareness is one of the greatest ways we can honor Sandra's life, her strength, and the hope she always carried in her heart.