Margaret Emma Sharples

To her friends she was Marg or Margie, to her children she was mom and to her grandkids she was Nan or Nanny. She left this world on August 25, 2014 at Arborstone Enhanced Care, in Halifax Nova Scotia, where she had been residing since July 11, 2014. She was the daughter of David and Mary Osborne (and step mother Tress Osborne) all from Sydney, Nova Scotia. She had 5 brothers: John Edward (Eddie), Henry (Hawk), Dave, Melvin (Melon / Muckin) & Nathaniel (Nat). She also had 5 sisters: Mary (Mae) Castle, Muriel (Moo) Whalen, Julia Dearing, Blanche Osborne and Gloria Osborne. On April 15, 1940 she married Alfred Rowland Sharples, born July 6, 1916, son of Howard and Matilda Sharples of South Bar, Nova Scotia. They were married for 61 years when Alfred passed away on July 26, 2001. They had 5 children: (twins) Mary Thorpe (husband Bill); & Alfred (Butch) (wife Rodina); Ross (wife Betty); Donna Downie and Kevin (wife Michelle). Marg was daughter, sister, friend, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great-great grandmother. Marg will be best remembered for her strength. She was given great responsibility at a very early age. As a child she helped her father run the family store, married young, and became a single mom for a few years when Alfred went off to fight in WWII. Nothing stopped this woman. Her stature was tiny but her strength was gigantic no matter how hard times wer. When other kids came into her home, she was the one who befriended them. In a sense, she was mom to everyone of them. She loved to listen to them. It made her feel young & alive and she took them all in with open arms, and encouraged each and every one of them to love themselves. Everyone who knew Marg knew she had a fiery temper at times, but this came from her strong protective motherly instincts. It was this fighting spirit which gave her the strength to never give up. On more than one occasion the family was told, she would not survive, yet in the end she outlived all her siblings and in the end she was the last of her era to go. She stands as a testament to strength, determination and courage. During the last few months of her life she gave up that fighting spirit and relaxed into an accepting comfort of no longer in control. This allowed for her true innocent beautiful child-like shining spirit to emerge and she blessed all who met her and took care of her. She was such a sweet joy to be around. In each stage of her very long life she touched and changed people in different ways. Margaret believed in God, she prayed and she looked forward to Heaven. Emma Margaret Sharples, your time for rest is upon you. Be at peace and know that all your family loves you and will miss you, but will be ok without you. Thank you for giving everything you had for as long as you had. Go in peace to enjoy your glorious new life. A memorial service will be held 2pm Saturday August 30, 2014 in A.L. Mattatall Funeral Home, 217 Portland St. Dartmouth, burial to follow in Dartmouth Memorial Gardens. On line condolences may be viewed at or sent to. www.mattatallfuneralhome.com