Sharon Tysz

As many know, dementia is a terrible disease. Today, our family struggles with feelings of relief and sadness. Relief that the battle against the disease is over and sadness and despair – we lost our Mom.

Sharon Joyce Tysz passed peacefully, Monday September 17th, 2012 at Rainy Crest Home for the Aged, in Fort Frances at the age of 80.

Born on March 5th, 1932, Sharon was an original native to the Fort Frances area, spending her childhood with her parents, Bob and Mildred Smith, at their property on Rainy Lake that her parents called “Windy Point”. Long before the highway was built, long before modern conveniences; the railroad passing right through the property.

We remember our favourite stories of trips to town by train; the steam engine, the caboose, fellow passengers and friends; a very sad day for Mom when the caboose was gone.

Trips by water: the wind, the storms and pleasure cruise days. Not in the power boats we see today. And on ice: thick, thin, cold, slush. She always had to ride on the sled pulled behind the old “skidoo.”

Daily life at home was chores and play time. Always family and friends; no television, cell phones or Nintendo. For some reason, a bear always seemed to invade a good time!

Sharon married Jan Tysz in 1953 and moved to Winnipeg to start a home and family. We came back to Windy Point every summer, returning home permanently in 1967. With determination and dedication, she took care of home and family while attending night school to get an education.

As a result, Mom was employed in the Human Resources department in the Mill for the majority of her career. She made numerous friends and truly helped people as a professional, making a significant difference in their lives. Sharon became well known for her compassion and support for others.

Mom will be sadly missed by her sons and daughters in law: Rob and Cathy, Terry and Cindy, and Patrick and Kitty. Her grandchildren Tara, Kevin, Steven, and Ben, and her great grandchildren Brendan, Tyson, and Naveya.

Sharon will also be missed by her niece Kathleen Gibbons and her nephew Donald Burns, both from Winnipeg and her cousin and dear friend from “across the creek” Joanne Sullivan, and Joanne’s children Marsha, Barb, Jana, Kelly, and Allen.

She will be missed by numerous friends and acquaintances, fortunate to have known Sharon Tysz.

The family would like to take this time to say “Thank you!” to the wonderful staff at Rainy Crest for their kindness and compassion in caring for Mom.

There will be a private family ceremony at Sharon’s home on Windy Point at a later date.

~We are so glad to have had you as part of our world – Love your family and friends~