I felt compelled to come back and visit this memory page and read over all of the loving words on what would have been Sharon's 78th birthday. Sometimes it feels like an eternity since you've been gone, sometimes it feels like it was just yesterday we were making gingerbread houses  and playing cards.  You are forever in my heart and soul and I am a better person because of you! Life keeps on and I will be putting your golf clubs to good use this year :)



It's been 2 years already  it seems like yesterday that you were here with us ,we miss you at our table on Christmas. whit love Maria and Luciano 🙏🙏🌷🌷

I posted my last memory of Sharon before having read her family and friends' memories of her. I feel that what I wrote was not uplifting enough about Sharon. My family and I experienced the friendliness and caring nature of Sharon. When she started tutoring my son in Math for grade 3, she had said that she would only do so up to grade 6. But when she saw how much he struggled by the end of that grade, she continued with him until grade 8. That year she said that she would not go further into high school. Again, she changed her mind and helped him complete Fundamental Math grade 10. After a discussion with me, she was supportive of him taking Workplace Math for grade 11 (which did not require her help). Math was just not for my son. In  2019, when we were catching up (for 3 hours), she was happy to hear that he did well in Workplace Math  and that he was on the honour roll when he graduated (because he didn't take any Gr. 12 Math, haha!). She was a genuine, caring, and thoughtful person and I'm happy to hear that the pandemic did not keep her to herself. My family and I are blessed to have known her. She is and will be missed.

Hello, my name is Arjay Wingrove. Sharon tutored my son from grade 3 until grade 11. Over those years, I came to know Sharon and became friendly with her. I was lucky to have received a set of her Golf Ball Snow People at Christmas 2016. Once she stopped tutoring my son, we kept in touch as she would buy my decorated cookies at Christmas time to give as gifts to her friends and her niece, Hannah. The last time I saw her was in December of 2019. I delivered cookies to her and ended up staying and chatting with her for 3 hrs. Then the world shuttered three months later. I had emailed her during the pandemic but it may have been too late. I can't remember when I did that but when I didn't get a reply, I started wondering about her. I live close to where she lived but I did not visit again in 2020 because I wasn't in her "bubble". When I no longer saw her burgundy Volvo in 2021, I wondered if she had moved away. Now, I've found her and I'm saddened to find that she has passed. My belated condolences to her surviving family and to her friends. I have missed her and, of course, will miss her now. Sincerely, Arjay Wingrove.

Just the other day I was doing some work on Hannah’s and my first house we rented together.  There I was installing a railing on the lower side stairs to match the upper stairs where I had previously installed a railing. Sharon would come to visit us for dinner and cards.  She politely mentioned that there was no railing and it would be nice to have one there when she visited.  By the next visit, I had installed it painted and secure on the wall.

Sharon was a rock for Hannah and I.  She was always happy and full of love when we were together.  She supported us unconditionally. 
We will miss her dearly. 

On one of the last times that we shared with her, she invited us over to make gingerbread houses.  I was so impressed with the set up!! She had all the fixings and 🍭 candy.  I really felt like a kid again.  I got to experience what it was like to be a student with Sharon as a teacher. Sharon was so patient and you can tell that she loved to teach and guide people.  

Just in the last year, with the pandemic, Sharon was able to facilitate an online Bridge community.  We were able to help with the setup along the way with Hannah’s amazing computer knowledge and donating my mother’s older iPad.  When Sharon was in full Online Bridge mode, she had 2 iPads and one computer for the tournaments.  I was so amazed to see the motivation she had to help others during this time.  I am sure that all of her friends on Bridge were very blessed for this.

Hannah and I want to continue this legacy of helping others. We have been blessed by Sharon’s Love and legacy that she has left us.  Happy 76th Birthday Sharon (February 23, 2021).

I will promise to take care of Hannah. You will be forever in my heart,
Love Mauro

I miss going to coffee . You were always there for me when I need you and you become my family. I'm going to really miss our talks and just feel lost with out you but you are some where better and watching over me . I love you Sharon 

Although I have known Sharon for only a few years, I want her and others to know that her kindness and insightful friendship made such a real difference in my life. As a relative newbie to the bridge circle at Dogwood, one day I had the courage to ask her if we could be partners at an upcoming Maple Ridge tournament. That event started an on-going shared commitment – much to my surprise and delight. She was a strong mentor – with clear knowledge, infinite patience, an understanding heart, and a rousing sense of humor. And what a thrill we had as a team when we did well!
For years Sharon suffered greatly from debilitating pain and ongoing uncertainty of an operation. Finally, word came for the option of a double knee replacement. Sure enough, through the difficult recovery and rehabilitation phases, her positive spirit and sense of humour persisted. She fought hard with determination and hard work, all the while contributing through her creative and inspired crafts to the Hang Tough Arthritis Support group that meant so much to her. 
She has blessed me with a beautiful example of courage, determination and loyalty. Her ongoing desire to continually improve and learn spilled over to those around her as she reached out as a teacher and mentor. The lessons I learned from Sharon are far greater than those of a game - she modelled leadership and excellence to life itself. I will carry her memory fondly with me.


Sharon was my older sister by nine years. By my tenth birthday she was working and living in town. I was about sixteen when Sharon began her career in teaching. I remember the long ten hour drive to her very first teaching assignment in Timmins ON. I was off to university and before I graduated Sharon moved to BC and soon acquired her house in Coquitlam where she was able to stay for the rest of her life. She loved that home and the community. After 37 years in the community, Sharon was content. She was mom to some, auntie to others, and friend to many.

When you lose the only sibling in your life, you lose the only person who shares your memories of growing up. We would chat on occasion and Sharon came east in 2019 with Hannah.... I am so thankful for this time together. 

With our American friends in crisis and Ontario in covid lockdown, you would think Sharon and I would have important world events to talk about. Nope! Our last discussion was on boxing  day.....  was a jelly salad a salad or a desert! Mom used to make jelly salads for her special meals. I loved them and still make them to remember mom and my early years.... especially the green lime jelly salad with cottage cheese. Sharon remembered mons jelly salads too and recalled making them but folks wouldn't eat them with the meal.... it was a desert! Sharon was to try a jelly salad again.

In the picture, Sharon with the stylish glasses, mom and I. Yep... there is a jelly salad on the table as we celebrate a special event.

Rest in peace dear sister.


It was 1989 when Sharon came to Irvine Elementary where we were colleagues until she retired.  My memories of Sharon were of her super organizational skills as she sponsored our Students' Council meetings at Irvine.   She mentored students from grades 1-7 and later,  grades 1-5 when the Middle Schools opened and our senior students were gone.  This was a bit of a challenge as our leaders were now the grade 5s.  With clipboard and agenda in hand she fostered leadership skills with the class reps, encouraging them to fundraise to support school wide activities and to donate to local charities.  Sharon was always thinking of others.  She methodically trained the class reps to do the daily announcements over the PA system and encouraged public speaking skills.
After I retired, Sharon encouraged me to join "Hang Tough" after my hip replacement and supported me with the challenges of Osteoarthritis.  I attended "Hang Tough" meetings and watched as Sharon gleefully shared her golf ball creations as a fundraising venture for the group.  I bought many of them and think of Sharon each time I look at my golf ball caterpillars,
Sharon was truly a genuine "giving" soul who shared her passions with those around her and always left a lasting impression.  She talked endlessly about Hannah and how proud she was of her.  We will miss you, Sharon.

My fondest memory of Sharon was when my husband and I went to her place to pick up our special order of bowling ‘golf ball’ ornaments.  We had a great visit in her garage/workshop which displayed her treasures.    She was a lovely person and will be missed.

Pam Goessaert - Memories of Sharon:
For many years at Irvine Elementary we put on elaborate Christmas and Spring concerts. As a Music Specialist teacher I was in charge of the stage, costume, music, etc and Sharon was my partner in production as Stage manager and Marshalling Director. She handled all the backstage mayhem. With clip board in hand, detailed charts, stop watch, student runners, door people, parent volunteers she would make sure up to 385 students were lined up, on time for their musical numbers, all the while trying to keep them quiet. We made a good team. In later years when I ran the computer lab, she was in the classroom right next door. A great neighbour and colleague.
While I was always a bit of a rabble rousing rule breaker, I found Sharon to be the role model school teacher, always professional, prepared, firm but fair. So you can understand how I had a good belly laugh when she described to me a live theatrical performance she had attended called “Puppetry of the Penis”. Yes! Live! Fully unclothed, male anatomy posing as puppets, performing some kind of story. She was hilarious. 
Then there are the famous golf ball characters. When I visited my daughter on Commercial Drive we found a shop that had little touques and scarves. I bought them knowing Sharon would love them. She squealed with delight, like a 10 year girl, when I brought them by. I loved that sound. Her excitement was contagious. I think I must have bought about 20 of the minion golf/hockey/guitar guys. One Christmas, we shared a craft table together at the Terry Fox High school Christmas Craft fair. She organized it all, of course. Her with the comical golf ball contingent and I with my artsy painted bottles and cards. We were opposites with so much in common and comfortably content in each other’s company.
I will miss her at our Crumbs brunch gatherings. She was a very much loved part of our Irvine family.

I became friends with Sharon when l went to teacher’s college.
When we returned to Cornwall four of us used to play cards once a week.
The four of us went to New York City together.
When Sharon went to teacher’s college Sharon and l were roommates and we had a very exciting year! 
We have been in touch since; Face Timing and telephoning to give each other news.
Each time Sharon came east the four of us got together. She stayed with me for a few days the last time she was down.
 I was going to visit her last spring, but the COVID virus got in the way. 
I have a hard tie believing that this is real. 
Rest In Peace, Sharon.

I started visiting Sharon on summer vacations in elementary school. I was so excited to go that I would stare at the airline tickets and wondered if the currency was different in BC. I did ask my Dad that! She introduced me to golf and Birch Bay and Mariner Mews BBQs.  We stayed up awfully late playing cards.  We went on a road trip to San Francisco and we fit right in with our fanny packs and maps - she drove and I slept a lot. Over the years, her friends became family to me and I always felt this was my second home. I moved here in 2001 and she took me under her wing, helped me get back on my feet and flowed with me through my twenties and thirties. She navigated with love and kindness all the twists and turns and ups and downs that life would hand us. We were a team. 

Her inner child always sparkled. She would organize gingerbread house making parties and I would gather friends together. Her sweaters were often bright and donned seasonal earrings. Her house always decorated with homemade crafty creations. She adored kids and always had the cutest stories to tell of her students. 

 I will miss you more than I can quantify with words. So I will draw on my memories when I get blue knowing you are always with me. Rest easy my dearest Aunt Sharon. 



I too met Sharon through playing bridge and we will all miss her quiet, thoughtful manner in which she approached the game.  It was an honor to have been able to share years around the table with her.
Sincerely,
Bernie

GOD BLESS YOU SHARON. 
THANK YOU FOR YOUR YEARS OF SERVICE AND DEDICATION TO THE HANG TOUGH ARTHRITIS SUPPORT GROUP.
YOUR CARING AND  ENTHUSIASM  WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN. 




Sharon and I were friends in Cornwall at High School. I have fond memories of her encouraging me to play extracurricular badminton, table tennis in her basement and tobogganing in her back yard. 

Sharon and I were room mates at Ottawa Teachers' College and kept in touch over the years. 

When she came back to the Cornwall area to visit family Sharon always organized a reunion of old friends. Often we had not seen one another since her last visit. I was often lucky enough to have her stay overnight before she left so we could drive her to the Ottawa airport the next morning to catch a flight back to BC. She would bring out her iPad and show off her artistic endeavors and pictures of Hannah, Richard and Mary.

The last time we saw Sharon, she left us one of her golf ball creations, a couple dressed in tuxedo and evening gown which we put out on New Year's Eve. It will be special memory of her from now on. 

Rest in peace, Sharon. 
   

Sharon was a wonderful supporter of our Arthritis Community Group (Hang Tough).  Not only did she donate all of the funds from her Golfball Creations to support the group, she also acted as the Executive Meeting Secretary and Membership Secretary for many years.   She set up our computer and provided back-up when we needed someone to carry equipment to meetings.  She would take on jobs that other members thought were too hard and always accomplished them with ease and on time.  We will all miss her greatly.

I met Sharon at Dogwood bridge. She was always up for a game when her health permitted. She started the program teaching middle school kids to play. She was very passionate about the program. I was one of the teachers helping her with teaching the kids learn to play. She put a lot of time and effort into this but she really enjoyed it and was overjoyed when one of the kids "got it".  
When Covid hit she was one of the people that took to playing online bridge and helped me form a weekly foursome. Always patient, always kind, soft spoken and calm. 
She will be missed. 


A dear friend and colleague from teaching days at Cedar Valley and Albert McMahon  School in Mission, BC. Sharon supported my return to a teaching career  after having moved from SK to BC.  Sharon was exceptionally supportive to help others be the best for all students. We shared many fun times together both in and out of school.  

 I had  the pleasure sharing few meals with Sharon, we talk a lot, she was a beautiful woman in and out, we're going to miss her, RIP Sharon . sincerely 
Maria and Luciano 

Sharon and I became fast friends through our love of Bridge.  We played together as partners at Dogwood and in tournaments.  I assisted her with teaching the students of Pitt Middle School the game of Bridge. We spent hours discussing bridge strategy on the phone, in email, at her home and while driving together to various events.
I will always keep Sharon’s sage advice close to my heart and will miss her greatly!

Sharon and I met while living at Mariner Mews 35 years ago. Along with neighbour and friend Patti Paquette, we organized summer barbecues for the complex. I quickly understood I was learning organizational skills from a master.  We shared many holidays and celebrations along with our Friday night dinners at the Gillnetter Pub. Sharon was my golfing mentor and the week long ladies golf trips were fantastic. Sharon had certificates prepared for all shots and occasions. She also included everyone in her Goofy Golf tournaments: a family and friend affair. 
She was a consummate educator and bridge player, but it is her friendship and wisdom that I (and so many others) will remember the most. 
Thank you for all the lessons and laughs along the way, my friend.

Sharon and I met at UBC in 1978. It is hard to believe we have been friends for 42 years. I have so many memories of Sharon and our adventures over the years. She had so many passions, one being her love of golf. She was a wonderful organizer and decided she wanted to have a golfing week during the summer. She got a group of friends together to learn to play golf. We started with lessons and pitch and putt before graduating to par 3s. Our golf weeks started in Birch Bay, went to the Okanagan , Vancouver Island and back to Birch Bay. Sharon was a natural golfer and was always willing to help improve my skills. She always made everything so much fun.
Thank you Sharon, for your friendship. I will miss you.

Sharon I will miss you for ever.  Our memories will always remain in our heart.  Rest in peace Sharon.  Your cousin Carole,

Sharon was indeed a fine teacher.   She was part of a ladies' golf group when I knew her and she shared a number of helpful suggestions that improved my golf game.   I still have the #9 wood which she sold me once buying a new set for herself.   It works every time  thanks to Sharon's helpful suggestions!

Sharing a happy heart and generous disposition Sharon displayed  such inclusion and warmth.     It was a gift to have known her when I did.   Peace and blessings Hannah.


We first met Sharon when we moved into Mariner Mews in July 1984 and she has been a valued member of our family since.  Along with other friends who lived in Mariner Mews and other friends who joined us over the years, we became a group who enjoyed many social and family events. We have so many wonderful memories of Sharon; she was the go to person to get things organized, she would bring her creative touch to everything she did, she started traditions like making gingerbread houses and golf tournaments and she was just the most kind and caring person to everyone she knew. She will always be a special part of our family and we will miss her terribly. Thank you Sharon for all you brought to our lives. We love you.

OBITUARY

Sharon Lee Gray

23 February, 1945 – 27 December, 2020

Vancouver Memorial Services and Crematorium

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