Sharon Anne Murphy

On Sunday February 28th, 2021, Sharon passed away quietly in her bed at Northwood in Halifax NS.

Born in St John’s NL on May 4th, 1946, Sharon achieved a degree in Social Work From Memorial University in 1976, and her Masters of Social Work from the University of British Columbia in 1977. She spent most of her professional career in Amherst NS with Cumberland County Mental Health. She served as the Vice President of the Canadian Mental Health Association, was involved with Amherst Transition House, and volunteered with anti-poverty programs through the Cumberland YMCA.

In Amherst Sharon was a member of St Charles Church and Catholic Women's League.

In Halifax she was a very active member of St. Mary’s Cathedral Basilica. Sharon was fully committed to the Cathedral’s Daily Bread Outreach programme and was loved by all the guests. She was widely known as the ‘Power Pack’. Sharon was a very positive, high-spirited gal - one who loved nothing more than breaking into her many rap songs!

Above all, Sharon was a champion for justice, equality and human rights. Outside work, and after retirement, she wrote to and called politicians, attended rallies, and researched social issues. She spent much time lobbying for a basic income for everyone, especially to combat poverty of seniors and the disabled. She didn’t hesitate to contact both the Premier and union leadership upon learning that our nurses were working under an expired and outdated contract, demanding that they receive fair working conditions and compensation for the work that they do. A highlight of this aspect of Sharon’s life was recognition of her contributions by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Sharon’s love of animals was well known. She was a loving ‘mom’ to many cats throughout her life. Her final fur baby, Max, was rescued and in need of substantial medical care. Sharon took him in, and he was with her over 14 years, until her final days.

Sharon will lovingly be remembered by the family that she chose – among whom are her dear friends Sister Jovita MacPherson, Mary, Annette, Pat, and Michael and Angelina Allen and their children (Isaac, Gracie and Millie - to whom she was known as Nanny Sharon). There are countless others.

A special thank you goes out to the administrative staff at Northwood for arranging for her to return home, and the staff on her floor for the respect and compassion shown to her and her family in her final days.

Arrangements are being handled by Cruikshank’s Halifax Funeral Home. Sharon requested not to have a funeral service, but to be remembered as the spirited, lively person that she was. Her remains will be held at the Heritage Oak Columbarium in Dartmouth, NS. Donations can be made in her honor to either Bide Awhile animal shelter or St. Mary’s Cathedral Basilica (Daily Bread Outreach Programme).